Tapestry Art and the Jacquard Loom

Paris was the European centre for Tapestry Art up until 1337, when the Hundred Year War drove many weavers north, to the south Netherlands. Although Tapestry production did continue, although not to such a scale as before, many of the Tapestries were destroyed. During this period, Tapestries would be taken into battle, they provided warmth and were also used as a display of wealth and status. However, if the noblemans army lost, his Tapestries were lost with him. Once the war had finally ended, in 1453, the Tapestry industry began to flourish once more. That was, until the French Revolution began in 1789. Once again, France was subjected to the turmoil of war, and during the revolution, many Tapestries were destroyed, to retrieve the precious threads they contained, or sold.

Shortly after, around 1804, there would also be a revolution within the Tapestry industry, thanks to the ingenuity of Joseph Marie Charles, known to his friends as Jacquard. Before the invention of his weaving machine, the Jacquard Loom, Tapestry Art was laborious. The Tapestries being painstakingly woven by hand. The Jacquard Loom used punch cards, which, ultimately, made the production of Tapestry Art faster and easier. Therefore, Tapestries became more affordable. Today, the basic principles of the Jacquard Loom continue to be used within the Tapestry Art industry. As you would expect, the machines of today are bigger and faster. However, they continue to be referred to as Jacquard Looms, and the weaving process itself is also known as, Jacquard Weaving.

The Jacquard Loom was the first to rely on controlled sequencing. Of course, there was no computation involved, as in the sense of the word, as we know it today. However, the computing punch cards, and the Jacquard Loom, are considered to be significant moves forward. With regards to the development of computer hardware and programming. As well as having a huge impact on the mass production of Tapestry Art. It was the concept behind the ability to alter the weave pattern, of the Tapestry, simply by swapping the cards, which acted as a catalyst, or conceptual precursor, for the creation of computer programming. The famous mathematician Charles Babbage, intended to use the controlled sequencing principle, of the Jacquard Loom punch cards, to store programs in what Babbage referred to as, his Analytical Engine. The Babbage Engine is considered to be the first ever computer, and was developed from 1837, right up until his death, in 1871. Most modern commercial Tapestry Art workshops use the Jacquard Loom and rely on computer technology, to transcribe original artworks, accurately, into Tapestry Art.

Jacquard was a French silk Tapestry weaver. His invention was actually an improvement on a Loom which had been developed by three Frenchmen previously, over the course of fifteen years; Basile Bouchon was the first around 1725. He was actually the man behind the Looms original conception; Jean Falcon continued to develop the machine, circa 1728; then Jacques de Vaucanson took over, from around 1740, until 1745. Joseph Marie Charles was the ultimate inventor involved, in the Jacquard Looms creation. He was born in Lyons and by the time he was ten years old, Jacquard was already working on the Loom. His father, a Tapestry Art weaver, died and left Jacquard two looms. With these, he began his own Tapestry Art business, however, it was not successful. His wife, in Lyons, was forced to plait straw to make ends meet, and he became a lime burner in Bresse. After joining the troops and losing his son in active service, Jacquard went back to Lyons. It was then he returned to the Tapestry industry and began working on the development of the Loom.

The very first Jacquard Loom was put on display in Paris, at an Industrial Exhibition in 1801. By 1806 it had been declared the property of the people, and by 1812 more than eleven thousand were being used in French Tapestry workshops. Hand woven Tapestry Art is very expensive to produce. The Jacquard Loom is less labour intensive, even so, it still requires a lot of work to produce a Tapestry with this Loom. It is Joseph Marie Charles, we owe our thanks, for perfecting the invention of the Jacquard Loom. It is his machine which has made Tapestry Art an accessible commodity today, one which we can afford to have in our own homes. Today, these incredible works of art are available to everyone, not just the aristocracy.

About the Author

Angela Dawson-Field is an expert author in the field of tapestries and textiles. She works part time for The Tapestry House.

Cool Computer programs with download link

Cuisinart DCC-1200 Brew Central 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker $165.00 A striking blend of retro style and modern technology. Programmable for brewing up to 24 hours in advance. Setting for 1 to 4 cups ensures full-bodied flavor and aroma. BrewPause™ feature lets you enjoy a cup before brewing is finished. Adjustable heater plate setting keeps coffee at the temperature you prefer. Audible “ready” signal. Automatic shutoff. Includes Gold Tone metal filter, #4 pap…

Cuisinart CHW-12 Coffee Plus 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker with Hot Water System, Black/Stainless $185.00 Fresh, delicious coffee is only the beginning! This incredible hot beverage machine comes complete with all your favorite features, like 24 hour programmability, carafe temperature control , Brew Pause, and the ultra-convenient Hot Water System. Now, youre never more than a minute away from enjoying your favorite instant soup, hot coca, tea and more. Coffeemaker includes a charcoal water filter an…

Cuisinart DTC-975BKN Thermal 12-Cup Programmable Coffeemaker, Black $94.99 Fully automatic with 24 hour programmability 12 cup double-wall insulated stainless steel carafe Patented Brew Through & Pour Through Lid that keeps air out and coffee fresh and hot for hours Automatically shuts off and sounds a “beep” after brewing is complete Brew Pause Feature lets you enjoy a cup of coffee before brewing has finished Easy to see water level indicator Includes instructio…

Animusic – A Computer Animation Video Album (Special Edition) $13.47 Watching Animusic is like being mesmerized by the world’s most elaborate Rube Goldberg devices: You’re so astonished by their ingenuity that you can’t look away. This “computer animation video album” is the brainchild of Wayne Lytle, a progressive-rock keyboardist and 1988 graduate of Cornell University’s Program of Computer Graphics. Modifying techniques originally applied to the visualization of…

The Berlin Concert: Live from the Waldbühne $15.82 Sparks fly in this video of the all-star concert from Berlin’s equivalent of the Hollywood Bowl in July 2006, part of the World Cup festivities. The electricity is generated by the all-star trio of tenors Placido Domingo and Rolando Villazon and soprano Anna Netrebko in a program of operatic and vocal favorites. The crowd estimated at 20,000 eats it all up, and so will home viewers who’ll relish t…

Little Amadeus: Season 1 $19.09 MOZART:LITTLE AMADEUS SEASON 1 – DVD Movie…

Team AVI-Automotive Video Automotive Technology Training: Computer Engine Data Testing II Using Snap-On MT2500 Scanner – Ford, GM, Generic/Chrysler (Specific Training Programs for Professional Automotive Service Technicians and Independent Shop Owners) [3 VHS Videos] $210.00 Three VHS videos. Team AVI is dedicated to producing diagnostic training to help repair shops excel in the ever changing technology of the automotive repair industry. We at Team AVI are committed to being a part of the network of quality education. COMPUTER ENGINE DATA II FOR FORD, CHRYSLER AND GM MODELS: If your shop is using the Snap-On® MT-2500TM scanner, wouldn’t you like to know about …

Ordinateur Portable Ouvert – Vue De Coté – 24W x 18H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…

Organigramme Réseau Fond Bleu – 24W x 18H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $40.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…

Computerbug – 60W x 40H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $87.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l…