Gobelins

Gobelins French tapestry manufactory, named after a family of dyers and clothmakers who set up business on the outskirts of Paris in the 15th century. Their premises became a tapestry factory in the early 17th century, and in 1662 it was taken over by Louis XIV, who appointed Le Brun its director. For Louis it made not only tapestries but also every kind of product (except carpets, which were woven at the Savonnerie factory) required for the furnishing of the royal palaces—its official title was ‘Manufacture royale des meubles de la Couronne’. The celebrated tapestry designed by Le Brun of Louis XIV Visiting the Gobelins (c.1667, Gobelins Mus., Paris) gives a good idea of the range of its activities. In 1694 the factory was closed because of the king's financial difficulties, and although it reopened in 1699, thereafter it made only tapestries. For much of the 18th century it retained its position as the foremost tapestry manufactory in Europe. Oudry and Boucher successively held the post of director (1733–70). The Gobelins continues in production today and also houses a tapestry museum.