Such landscape tapestries were a characteristic late Renaissance interpretation of the verdure type, a transition between the Gothic _millefleurs_, that were really originally landscapes without perspective (cf. No. 11), and the XVIIth-century verdures (cf. No. 43). It is a very successful form of verdure, for they are broadly effective from a distance and yet have a sufficient wealth of detail to yield interest on closer exploration. The birds in this piece are especially carefully observed and well drawn, and the purity and vivacity of the color is exceptional for this type. [Sidenote: 42] BRUSSELS, LATE XVII CENTURY [Sidenote: _Wool and Silk._ H. 13 _ft._ W. 12 _ft._ ] AMERICA: _In a tropical landscape an Indian with bow and arrows caressing a crocodile. Two children beside him smoking pipes. In the background on a hill a mission; in the foreground a heap of fruits and flowers and precious objects symbolic of the wealth of the New World. Border of fruits and flowers with corner medallions representing North, East, South, and West. On the lower selvage the Brussels city mark and the signature, I. V. D. BEURCHT._ [Sidenote: Another example in Musée Impériale des Ecuries, Petrograd, No. 117.] The piece is one of a set of four representing the four quarters of the globe. It was woven by Jean Van der Beurcht, one of the great weavers of Brussels, who is known to have been working there between 1690 and 1710. The Van der Beurcht family had for several generations been painters, Jean being the first to turn from that profession to tapestry weaving. He was followed by several other members of the family (cf. No. 56), all of whom did work of the highest quality. [Sidenote: Lent by _P. W. French & Company_.] The piece is a splendid illustration of the romantic attitude toward America at the time and a reminder of the importance America had to Europeans as a source of wealth. The mission on the hill, and another mission settlement in the valley of which a glimpse can be caught, are of especial interest. [Sidenote: 43] FLANDERS, XVII CENTURY [Sidenote: _Wool and Silk._ H. 11 _ft._ 10 _in._ W. 11 _ft._ ] VERDURE WITH BEAR HUNT: _In a forest of large trees hunters shooting and spearing bears. In place of a border, large columns at the sides with floral garlands hung between them across the top._ The piece is a type of verdure, numbers of which with many variations were produced in Flanders during the XVIIth century. It is one of a set of five, and is a very strong, fresh example. [Sidenote: Lent by _P. W. French & Company_.] The substitution of massive columns for formal borders is characteristic of the Baroque period and serves the better to adapt the tapestry to the prevailing architecture. [Sidenote: 44] BRUSSELS, XVII CENTURY [Sidenote: _Wool and Silk._ H. 11 _ft._ W. 18 _ft._ 8 _in._ ] [Sidenote: From the Morgan Collection, No. 17. Another example in the Swedish Royal Collection.]