European decorative arts - textiles

1790/91 French jouy

Spotted on the wall of the Victorian and Albert Museum, textile study room, before renovations 2011

 

'La Fete de la Federation' depicts one of the most famous events from the French Revolution, the Fall of the Bastille. This was a royal fortress which commanded the eastern side of Paris and which was considered to symbolise the monach's despotism. Essential to any celebration is dancing and in this case the people are dancing to a pipe and tabor and fiddle duet. In continental European images the musicians are usually placed in an elevated position, unlike those in the UK.

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