It’s related to tapestry, but instead of being woven, it is sewn on canvas with a fine needle, point by point, in a process that may take anywhere from 3 months to 1 year, depending on size of the piece, complexity of the design, size of the needle point, number of threads and their thickness and the total number of colours.
The Gobelin originated in the manufactures by the same name, in France (see History tab) and were a form of intricate tapestry. See some traditional Gobelin tapestry at: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Gobelins
The modern Gobelins are a form of craft work by needle stitching. It is different from the well known "cross stitch" like going from the kindergarten of needle work, to university. First of all the Gobelin requires a more complex technique, large number of colours (anywhere from maybe 20 to 90) and intricate patterns,a finer point called "petit point", which results in a type of work that from a distance is hardly distinguishable from an oil painting. And maybe that is why a great number of gobelins are replicas of well known painting masterpieces.
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| Gobelin replica of Vincent van Gogh's famous "Sunflowers" |
Certainly one may ask, what is the place of such a traditional form of craft, in the modern digital world? Well, nowadays apart from the Gobelin classics such as reproductions from Fragonard, Monet or van Gogh, you can have a family photo, or your favourite holiday shot digitised and printed on canvas ready for you to sew into a beautiful Gobelin piece.
The classic Gobelins will give a touch of class to your home, or you may turn to original contemporary designs or personal photography if you prefer a modern look for your home.
Whatever you may choose, the Gobelins are a durable work of art that will last for generations, while they carry with them the passion for harmony and beauty of the person who has sewn them. This is why I call them "an art for eternity".
How to Buy a Gobelin Tapestry? see "How To Order" on this page
Terminology
While the terms “needlepoint”, "tapestry", "embroidery" and "needlework" are all related, the correct English description for Gobelin is "needlepoint": this refers to a particular set of stitching techniques worked upon stiff openwork canvas. "Needlepoint" is not synonymous with all types of embroidery. Needlepoint is often referred to as "tapestry” but differs from true tapestry, which is woven on a loom, rather than stitched on canvas. When worked on fine weave canvas in tent stitch, it is also known as "Petit point", from French.When referring to handcrafted textile arts which a speaker is unable to identify, the appropriate generalized term is "needlework". For more info see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Needlework
Goblenul e o pictura cu acul
Der Gobelin ist ein Gemälde, mit Nadelstichen gefertigt
Le Gobelin est une peinture de point d'aiguille
El Gobelin es una pintura de punto de aguja
Il Gobelin è un dipinto di punto dell'ago
Gobelin är en målning av nål stygn
Gobelin er et maleri af nål sting
De Gobelin is een schilderij van naald steek
Gobeliini on maalaus puikko
Η Gobelin είναι μια ζωγραφική με τον πόντο της βελόνας
Гобелен является живопись иглой стежка
