Verdure with Château and Garden

Amidst lush greenery, a frisky spaniel startles two large birds. One bird extends its wings about to take flight. Behind this bird, a rose bush leads upward to a fig tree attracting exotic birds to its ripening fruit. This central foliage and the trees at the left and right edges create arcades through which the viewer can see a country château and its grounds. The impressive mansion is complemented by formal, symmetrically arranged gardens and multi-tiered fountains.

Tapestries showing scenes of country houses set amid gardens and wooded hillsides, were known as "verdures" because of their rich green (or "verdant") tones. This large wool and silk verdure tapestry is dominated by greens and earthy browns. During the 1600s and early 1700s, verdures comprised the vast majority of the weaving industry's production in Northern Europe. The hangings effectively brought "nature" into the home and were enormously popular with prosperous customers who could afford luxurious decor. With its deep perspective, verdures like this one also created a sense of space within the domestic interior.