Christ's charge to Peter

A photogravure of a tapestry depicting 'Christ's Charge to Peter', executed at the Mortlake tapestry manufactory for Charles I (r.1625-49) from Raphael's original preparatory cartoon. The tapestry is now in the Mobilier National, Paris (inv. no.GMTT 16/1). Published in 'Les Tapisseries décoratives du Garde-Meuble: choix des plus beaux motifs par Ed. Guichard, Paris [1878-81]. Not in Ruland (1876).

The direct source for the central scene is one of the ten tapestry designs commissioned from Raphael from Pope Leo X, illustrating episodes from the lives of St Peter and St Paul. In 1623 seven of the original cartoons were acquired by Charles I (when Prince of Wales), who wished to undertake a new weaving of them at Mortlake under Francis Clein's direction, who was also commissioned to design new borders and an additional subject, ‘The Death of Sapphira'.

The first set of tapestries woven at Mortlake was made for Charles himself. After having passed through French collections, six pieces survive now in the Mobilier National in Paris, including the one reproduced in this photogravure.

The seven surviving Raphael cartoons are currently in the Victoria and Albert Museum on loan from the Royal Collection; the ten original tapestries, intended to be hung in the Sistine Chapel, are housed in the Vatican Museums.