434209 Tapestry with a scene of Hercules Shouldering the Heavens for the Giant Atlas, Grotesques with the Deeds of Hercules, probably made in Oudenaarde, c.1540-50 (wool & silk) (detail) (see also PHL 434208) by Flemish School, (16th century); w:502.9 cm; Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania, PA, USA; (add.info.: The design on this tapestry--consisting of a central event surrounded by elaborate, but thematically unrelated, decoration-demonstrates the grotesque style. Inspired by ancient Roman painted murals, such compositions became internationally popular during the course of the sixteenth century. A complete series of these tapestries would have constituted a portable room decoration suitable for a princely patron, comparable to permanent painted frescoes found in Italy. ); 穢 Philadelphia Museum of Art ; Flemish, out of copyright.