The Brazen Serpent by Charles Le Brun

Le Serpent d'Airain
collection du Mobilier national
© L.Perquis

You are now going to see two works related to the tapestry "The Brazen Serpent". But let’s go back to this tapestry first.
This is the second tapestry woven after the work by Charles Le Brun of the 10 that make up the complete series. The painting was painted by Charles Le Brun between 1649 and 1650, for his friend the collector Le Noir. It is housed in Bristol. 
As the original painting was itself on a large scale, it was possible to keep the same proportions in its transposition to tapestry.
The composition is simple. The Jewish people are exhausted, decimated and fearful. Massed on the right, the men and women are imploring Moses. In his red toga with his arms raised, in the upper left, he points out a long bronze serpent coiled around a tree, destined to save his people. 

Now move to your right.
First of all you can see a study of the same subject, done in sanguine on paper and belonging to the Jean Bonna collection. On the picture rail behind you can then see a copy of Le Brun’s painting, loaned by the Tours Museum of Fine Art. This work is an anonymous oil on canvas. You will note that it depicts the scene the other way around. It has clearly been copied from an engraving, itself reversed in relation to the original.

The rest of the exhibition is in the lower ground floor. Take the stairs or the lift to find the next stage of your tour. Then go directly to the space devoted to engravings, which are exhibited on your right as you enter the room.