Sully at the Feet of Henri IV from a set of The History of France

Art Historical Context

Step into the grandeur of late 18th-century France with *Sully at the Feet Henri IV*, a magnificent tapestry from the renowned Manufacture Nationale des Gobelins Paris. Woven between 1788 1792, this piece is part of the lavish series *The History of France*, key moments in the nation's past. Designed by Jean-Jacques François Le Barbier and François Cozette, it the loyal finance minister Maximilien Béthune, Duke of Sully, kneeling his king, Henri IV—the "Good King" famed for restoring stability after the Wars of Religion and promoting economic prosperity through reforms like the Edict of Nantes. Crafted from fine wool and silk threads (with an impressive 22-23 warps per inch), this monumental work measures over 12 feet by 10 feet, showcasing the Gobelins' mastery of haute lisse weaving on high-warp looms. Such tapestries were symbols of royal prestige, adorning palaces like Versailles to glorify France's monarchical legacy. Produced on the eve of the French Revolution, it evokes a fading era of absolutism, where kings and trees—evident in the scene's lush backdrop—symbolized enduring strength and natural order. Today, at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, this textile invites reflection on power, loyalty, and artistry, blending historical narrative with exquisite craftsmanship that has endured for centuries.