Carpet
AUTHOR
Agostino Speranza (weaver)
PLACE/DATE
Italy, Rome, ca. 1747-1750
MATERIALS
Polychrome silks, gold and silver threads
DIMENSIONS
560 x 352 cm
INV
MT.165
With a compositional structure underlined by architectural frames, this carpet features an eminently vegetal and floral decoration, based on acanthus leaves, roses, carnations and tulips with a great naturalistic effect, thanks to the use of a bright but delicate colour palette.
This carpet was the only one made, aimed for the solemn ceremonies celebrated in the chapel of St. John the Baptist in the Church of São Roque, and its execution took a full year to complete. The materials used (silk and metallic threads) and the technique (tapestry), especially suitable for works intended to embellish walls, make this carpet a particularly fragile and valuable specimen.
