Probably from workshop of Raphael de la Planche.

One in a series recounting the story of Daphne, probably from Ovid's Metamorphoses, Book I.  The subject shown is "Apollo Pursuing Daphne." Daphne flees from center to the left with Apollo in pursuit from the right. In addition to the two main figures, two nymphs are shown watching the pair from behind a tree at the right, and Cupid flies above Apollo's head holding bow and arrows.  Border shows rinceaux of acanthus leaves and flowers. Nude putto in each corner grasps stems of vines.  Some brown wool wefts have deteriorated. Fabric complete in extent; lacks a fraction of an inch of weaving along outer edges of outer guards.

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, illustrations of biblical stories served as didactic examples of moral behavior. The life of Joseph might represent love of the family while individual episodes could be interpreted differently. The rejection of Potiphar’s wife (on the back), for instance, may signify chastity, an important female virtue.

5444

5444