Jeu de boules or The Ball Game (from the Story of Gombaut and Macée set)
ca. 1590–1600
Medium
Wool, silk (12-14 warps per inch, 5-6 per cm.)
Dimensions
H. 137, W. 155 inches (348 x 393.7 cm)
Classification
Textiles-Tapestries
Culture
Flemish, Bruges
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Charles Zadok, New York, 1958
Accession Number
58.62
Tags
Art Historical Context
Step into the lively world of late Renaissance Flanders with *Jeu de boules or The Ball Game*, a magnificent tapestry woven by Jean Leclerc around 1590–1600 in Bruges. This scene from the *Story of Gombaut and Macée* series captures men and women joyfully engaged in a game of boules— an early form of bocce—amidst fluttering birds, evoking the everyday pleasures and social gatherings of the era. Measuring an impressive 137 by 155 inches, its grand scale made it ideal for adorning the walls of wealthy homes or public halls, showcasing the owner's status. Crafted from wool and silk with a fine w...