The Sacrifice of Iphigenia
possibly Oudenaarde
Category
Tapestries
Date
circa 1625 - circa 1650
Materials
Tapestry, wool and silk, 4 warps per cm
Measurements
2.56 m (H); 2.38 m (W)
Place of origin
Belgium
Order this imageCollection
Rufford Old Hall, Lancashire
NT 783218
Summary
Tapestry, wool and silk, 4 warps per cm, The Sacrifice of Iphigenia, one of two of the History of Troy, possibly Oudenaarde, c. 1625-1650. In the foreground two figures, probably Clytemnestra and Agamemnon, kneel before an altar. In the sky the goddess Artemis, with a crescent moon on her forehead, rescues Iphigenia and replaces her with a stag which is seen burning on the altar. In the background on the right are soldiers and an encampment, representing the Greek army. The tapestry has borders on either side with decorative medallions containing fruit in the centre and fruit and flowers above and below, and a narrow a band of decoration at the outer edge. The right hand border has been removed and re-attached, making its inner edge a bit narrower, but the main field of the tapestry is intact.
Full description
In order to obtain favourable winds to carry his army to Troy, King Agamemnon believed that he had to sacrifice his daughter Iphigenia. At the last moment Iphigenia was saved by the goddess Artemis, who snatched her from the altar and replaced her with a stag. The story is told by Euripides in his play ‘Iphigenia in Aulis’. The tapestry is part of the same set as no. 783220, ‘The Fall of Troy’. (Helen Wyld, 2013)
Provenance
On loan to Rufford Old Hall from Major the Hon. John Breckinridge Fermor-Hesketh (1917-1961); by descent to Mrs J.I. Robinson; purchased by the National Trust from the executors of her estate, 2012.
Makers and roles
possibly Oudenaarde, workshop