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Identification and Creation

Object Number
1953.114
People
After Jean-Baptiste Oudry, French (Paris 1686 - 1755 Beauvais)
Title
A Game of Hot Cockles
Other Titles
Former Title: Youths Frolicking in a Landscape
Classification
Textile Arts
Work Type
tapestry
Date
1760s or 1770s
Places
Creation Place: Europe, France, Aubusson
Period
Almoravid period
Culture
French
Persistent Link
https://hvrd.art/o/215029

Physical Descriptions

Medium
Textile fibers
Dimensions
256.5 x 381 cm (101 x 150 in.)

Provenance

Recorded Ownership History
Mrs. Nathaniel Bowditch Potter, gift; to Fogg Art Museum, 1953

Acquisition and Rights

Credit Line
Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Gift of Mrs. Nathaniel Bowditch Potter
Accession Year
1953
Object Number
1953.114
Division
European and American Art
Contact
am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu
Permissions

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Descriptions

Description
The scene features a game of "hot cockles" (Fr. "la main chaude"). This game, which originated in the middle ages, involves a blindfolded person bent over with his head in the lap of a woman. The other players slap him on the hand that is tucked behind his back, and he has to guess who it is. When the person guesses correctly who slapped him, that person takes his place. The game is depicted in a contemporary painting (1767-1773) by Fragonard (National Gallery of Art, Washington, 1946.7.6) which includes a similar garden setting. One stage of the tapestry's composition is preserved in a drawing by Oudry on blue paper (Stockholm National Museum, no. 2890 / I863). This panel belonged to a series of "amusements champêtres" (see series info). The border is composed of linear gold bands with small flower bouquets at regular intervals.

Verification Level

This record has been reviewed by the curatorial staff but may be incomplete. Our records are frequently revised and enhanced. For more information please contact the Division of European and American Art at am_europeanamerican@harvard.edu