Manufacture nationale des Gobelins

Manufacture nationale des Gobelins , state-controlled tapestry manufactory in Paris. It was founded as a dye works in the mid-15th cent. by Jean Gobelin. A tapestry works started by two Flemish weavers, Marc de Comans and François de la Planche, called to France by Henri IV in 1601, was later added. In 1662, Louis XIV purchased the Gobelins manufactory and there Colbert united all the royal artisans, creating a royal tapestry and furniture works. Charles Le Brun was director and chief designer from 1663 to 1690. The Gobelins was temporarily closed from 1694 to 1697, after which the works specialized in tapestry. Both low- and high-warp weaving were done until about 1825, when the low-warp power frames were moved to the manufactory of Beauvais; they were returned to Gobelins after World War II. The Gobelins factory has always been noted for excellence of materials, dyes, and workmanship; it originated the exquisite Gobelins blue. Famous tapestries from its looms include a set based on copies of Raphael's frescoes in the Vatican and 14 great pieces commemorating the achievements of Louis XIV.

Gobelins, Manufacture nationale des State-controlled tapestry factory in Paris, founded c.1440 by Jean Gobelin. The factory converted from a dyeworks to making tapestry in 1601. In 1662 Louis XIV bought the premises to create a royal tapestry and furniture works. It was directed (1663–90) by Charles Le Brun.

Gobelins. French tapestry manufactory, named after a family of dyers and cloth makers 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 showing 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.