Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Beauvais is a royal factory founded in 1664 by Jean-Baptiste Colbert in Beauvais to compete with Flemish tapestries. In contrast to the Gobelin factory, which was intended for the crown, Beauvais aimed first at the private market. It was successively directed by dealers-tapissiers like Louis Hinart, then Philippe Béhagle, before experiencing financial difficulties at the beginning of the eighteenth century.

Under the artistic direction of Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1726-1755), the manufacture reached its peak in the 18th century. She developed a European export network, collaborating with painters like François Boucher, and produced mythological hangings (e.g. Don Quixote) and toppings of well-known seats. The quality of his weaving competed with that of the Gobelins, ensuring his fame.

The French Revolution and the 19th century marked major changes: nationalized by Napoleon in 1804, the factory specialized in tapestries of seats and interior decorations. In the 20th century, under the impetus of Jean Ajalbert (1920-1930), she opened up to modern art with cardboards by Raoul Dufy, Picasso or Matisse. During the Second World War, his workshops were transferred to Paris to escape the bombings.

In 1976, the National Gallery of Tapestry was inaugurated near the cathedral of Beauvais, on the plans of André Hermant, to exhibit works by national manufacturers. Becomes Le Quadrilatère in 2016, it now combines heritage and contemporary creation. The factory, which is still active, is attached to the National Furniture and uses exclusively the technique of bass-lisse, inherited from the 18th century.

The technique of bass, adopted in the 18th century, distinguishes Beauvais: the lissiers weave backwards on horizontal trades, following cardboards placed under the chain. This method, combined with collaborations with major artists, allowed the manufacture to go through the centuries while innovative, as evidenced by its productions for French ministries and embassies.

His notable leaders include Louis Hinart (1664-1678), Philippe Béhagle (1684-1705), Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1726-1755), and Jean Ajalbert (1913-1935), who modernized production. Today, the factory continues its know-how between Beauvais and Paris, while also entering a broader cultural project with Le Quadrilatère.

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