Detail View: The AMICA Library: The Riding Lesson

AMICA ID: 
MIA_.48.13.7
AMICA Library Year: 
1998
Object Type: 
Textiles
Creator Name: 
Caron, Antoine
Creator Nationality: 
European; French
Creator Role: 
central design
Creator Dates/Places: 
about 1521 - 1599
Gender: 
M
Creator Death Place: 
Laurent Guyot
Creator Name-CRT: 
Antoine Caron
Creator Name: 
Guyot, Laurent
Creator Nationality: 
European; French
Creator Role: 
central cartoon
Gender: 
M
Creator Name-CRT: 
Laurent Guyot
Creator Name: 
Dumée, Guillaume
Creator Nationality: 
European; French
Creator Role: 
border design and cartoon
Gender: 
M
Creator Name-CRT: 
Guillaume Dumée
Title: 
The Riding Lesson
View: 
Front
Creation Date: 
about 1611 - 1627
Creation Start Date: 
1611
Creation End Date: 
1627
Materials and Techniques: 
silk, wool
Classification Term: 
tapestries
Dimensions: 
H.160 x W.235-3/4 in., irregular
Component Measured: 
overall
Measurement Unit: 
in
AMICA Contributor: 
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Owner Location: 
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
ID Number: 
48.13.7
Credit Line: 
The Ethel Morrison Van Derlip Fund
Inscriptions: 
MARKS
Rights: 
Context: 

A crown prince's education was carefully regulated so that he would become a capable king. Normally this process was supervised by the king, but if he died the responsibility was often assumed by the widowed queen. We see the regent queen on the left, supervising a riding lesson. The statue of Hercules indicates male approval and has been included in the design to assure the contemporary viewer that the future king would be well-educated.

Horsemanship was a particularly important skill for military purposes, and difficult maneuvers, such as the one shown here, displayed a gentleman's refinement as well as his ability to control power artfully.

Related Image Identifier Link: 
MIA_.2163c.tif