From the stroies of Apollo, a set of five illustrating the myths of Apollo, god of the sun and of music; here the satyr Marsyas is being flayed alive; the border, which is treated as though it were a carved picture frame, includes the bee emblem of the Barberini family, in whose palace the tapestry remained until the late 19th century; possibly woven after a design by Nicolas Poussin, or Gaspard Duguet

Apollo and Attendants Flaying Marsyas, 3rd quarter 17th century

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The satyr Marsyas, a goatlike woodland god, has been tied to a tree and is about to be skinned alive. His crime is pride. In this ancient myth, Marsyas challenges Apollo, god of music and famed for his skill with the lyre (a small harp), to a musical contest after finding a musical pipe. Apollo wins and names Marsyas’ punishment.

Though professional tapestry weaving was decidedly male dominated, this finely woven tapestry was made under the direction of a woman. Maria della Riviera came from a Flemish (present-day Belgium) family of tapestry weavers and directed one of the Barberini workshops—established by Cardinal Francesco Barberini (1597–1679) and famed for their craftsmanship—from 1653 to 1678.

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Details
Title
Apollo and Attendants Flaying Marsyas
Artist Life
1625 - 1671
Role
Designer
Accession Number
57.19
Curator Approved

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From the stroies of Apollo, a set of five illustrating the myths of Apollo, god of the sun and of music; here the satyr Marsyas is being flayed alive; the border, which is treated as though it were a carved picture frame, includes the bee emblem of the Barberini family, in whose palace the tapestry remained until the late 19th century; possibly woven after a design by Nicolas Poussin, or Gaspard Duguet