The Russian Academy Of Arts

In December, 2008 after the restoration work, the 17th century unique tapestry “Victory of Alexander the Macedonian Over the Persian Tsar Darius” (the Battle at Arbela), one from the series of five spalliere entitled History of Alexander the Macedonian will be returned to the interiors of the Research Library of the Russian Academy of Arts. Only two of them have survived till these days.

This monument of decorative and applied art represents a multi-figure composition with a wide floral edging. The cartouche in the center of its upper part contains the state emblem of the Russian Empire and chains of the Order of Andrew. At the bottom there is a description with the panel’s name.

The tapestry of 35 sq. m  is hand woven of wool, silk and cotton. It has taken  the Sphere XXI Century Company eleven months to restore the tapestry at the cost of about 12.5 million roubles. 

Historical background
The series of spalliere History of Alexander the Macedonian has been executed according to cartoons by Charles Lebrun.  The tapestry “Victory of Alexander the Macedonian over the Persian Tsar Darius” (the Battle at Arbela) was made in Brussels in the 1670s.  Till the middle of the 19th century they decorated the interiors of the Imperial palaces in St. Petersburg. In 1914 the above tapestry was handed over to the Research Library of the  Russian Academy of Arts.

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