CATHERINE THE GREAT: _Catherine stands in her robes of state holding the sceptre while the Imperial crown rests on a stool beside her. On the wall is the Russian motto, NACHATOYE SOVERCHAYET ("What is begun is accomplished"). It is signed and dated._ [Sidenote: Exhibited: _Metropolitan Museum_, 1912.] For sheer technical skill the rendition of this portrait is unsurpassable. The representation of textures is remarkable, quite on a par with the cleverest paintings of the period. [Illustration: _The Poisoning of a Spy_ No. 56 ] [Illustration: _The Arms of France and Navarre_ No. 67 ] [Sidenote: Illustrated: _Hunter, Tapestries_, pl. 229; also, _Candee, Tapestry Book_, opp. p. 133,--but wrongly attributed to the Gobelins.] [Sidenote: Lent by _P. W. French & Company_.] It is, in truth, an absolutely perfect reproduction of a painting--a painting, moreover, that from the character of all the accessories is particularly difficult to render in wool; and while it is by no means the business of tapestry to imitate painting, it is nevertheless an interesting display of remarkable virtuosity. The personal power of the forceful old Empress is strongly presented. From every aspect this is one of the greatest portraits in a woven medium. In general color tone the piece has remained faithful to the character of tapestry, sustaining the rich quality that the solid texture demands. In spite, also, of the need for many delicately graded values to render the stuffs and the modeling, the weavers have kept the color in large enough masses to be broadly decorative. [Sidenote: 74] MADRID, LATE XVIII CENTURY [Sidenote: _Wool and Silk._ H. 5 _ft._ W. 8 _ft._ ] THE CARD PLAYERS: _A group of men and women playing at cards sit about a table on which is thrown a rich brocade. One of the company sits to one side playing a lute._ [Sidenote: Lent by _Duveen Brothers_.] This piece is one of the rather uncommon examples of the work of the Santa Barbara looms of Madrid. The skill of the weavers is remarkable in reproducing the heavy modeling of the deep shadows and the delicate modulations of the faces. For the perfect rendition of the effect of a painting in tapestry it cannot be excelled. ADDENDA _The tapestries entered under this heading were received too late to be entered in their proper order in the body of the catalogue._ [Sidenote: 75] BRUSSELS, BEGINNING OF XVI CENTURY [Sidenote: _Wool, Silk, Gold._ H. 9 _ft._ 1 _in._ W. 7 _ft._ 8 _in._ ] THE RESURRECTION: _The risen Christ discovered by Peter. Upper left, the Agony in Gethsemane; upper right, Christ appearing to Mary in the garden. In the background, the angel appearing to the three women. Border of fruits and flowers, grapes, roses, and iris interspersed with finches and a paroquet._