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Tapestry of an ornate boat with striped sail and parasol on water, with figures in rich dress under a gilded arched canopy and birds below.

The Emperor Sailing, from The Story of the Emperor of China

A richly woven tapestry shows an ornate gilded boat with a striped sail and parasol, carried over water past an elaborate arched canopy. Richly dressed figures stand on the left and right, a seated figure is at the stern, and birds and shells fill the lower border.

Artist
Guy-Louis Vernansal
Date
1716/22
Medium
Wool, silk, and silvered- and-gilt-metal-strip-wrapped silk, slit and double interlocking tapestry weave with some areas of 2:2 plain interl
Source
Art Institute of Chicago
Size
1686 × 1560 px
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Public domain · Art Institute of Chicago releases this image under CC0 (latest date 1722).
Rights checked 2026-11-05 · tier A · as stated by the source: CC0 (Art Institute of Chicago, is_public_domain=true)

Credit (appreciated, not required for public-domain works): Art Institute of Chicago, Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Worcester Fund

Rome and Ancient GreeceThe Sea and ShipsNatural History18th centurybaroquetapestryboatsgildedwoven textilebirdsemperorroyal figures

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