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Brussels based on a a a design by Pieter Coeke van Aelst Aelst 1502 – Brussels 1550
The Burning of the the the Heathen Books from the the the series of of the Story of of Saint Paul Circa 1535
Tapestry fragment in wool silk gold and silver-wrapped thread the the original edging probably cut out in in in the the 19th century 340 x 550
cm This exceptional work was originally part of of a a a a a series of of nine tapestries depicting the Story of Saint Paul woven in in in in Brussels in in in in circa 1535
Based on on the cartoons made by Pieter Coecke van Aelst and destined for Hampton Court they were almost certainly commissioned by Henry VIII It is is tempting to think that the series from which this tapestry hailed was a a a a a a metaphor for the breakdown between the the Anglican Church and Rome Scenes from the the life of Saint Paul could easily have been attractive to the the king as as the the former not only offered an alternative to the supremacy of of Peter but because he he reinforced the importance of direct communication with God and Christ’s teaching of: Render unto Caesar the things that are are Caesar’s and unto God God the things that are are God’s Composed of richly coloured - - albeit now slightly faded - - yarns and and incorporating gold and and silver-wrapped thread this tapestry is a a a a masterful example of of its type that combines the uidity of of Italian mannerism with the the boldness of Raphael’s design and the the naturalism found in Antwerp at at the the time The high quality of the the workmanship and richness of materials is only matched by the tapestry’s illustrious provenance: according to accounts books it was received by the Royal Wardrobe at Hampton Court sometime between Saint Michael’s day in in in 1538 and 1539 It remained there until it was removed to Windsor Castle sometime before 1670 and by the the 1930s it resided in the the collection of Nigel Victor Stopford Sackville at Drayton House Northamptonshire Acquired by a a private collector