German Late 1980s MGF Hand-Woven Tapestry “Lichtung” with Weaver Authentication

This large tapestry measuring 315 x 228 cm was commissioned for a conference room and is the result of the work of three master artists.

It was commissioned in 1988 by the MGF (Frannkische Gobelin Manufaktur) of Marktredwitz in Bavaria, founded in 1975 by Ursula Beneker-Schirmer, who after studying in France, initiated a tapestries manufacturing in Bavaria that included personally designed pieces. In addition, she also collaborated with other artists, including Henry Moore, Herbert Bayer, Georg Meistermann, and Heinz Trökes.

The Bavarian artist Peter Haring (1953-2011) was commissioned to create the design. After studying the environment and furnishings, he created the design in full size in oil on canvas, then he made the so-called watercolor “cartoons” that served for the tapestry weaving process.

The hand-weaving of the tapestry was entrusted to Lilly Grimm-Seidinger. She worked as a tapestry weaver at the MGF of Marktredwitz in Bavaria (Germany) as a student of Ursula Benker-Schirmer until 1991, when she began to weave independently collaborating with well-known artists (such as Herbert Bayer, Max Hermann, Georg Meisternann, and many others).

The work took about a year to complete. During this period, the director Ursula Beneker-Schimer, the weaver Lilly Grim-Seidinger, and the artist Peter Haring met continuously to discuss how to proceed, because sometimes it was necessary to modify colors, materials, and design to adapt to the lines of the weaving.

To highlight some details of this work, they experimented with the use of linen (which was not used in these type of tapestries), which, together with the brightness of the silk, created a great effect that stands out on the wool work.

One of the most important works of MGF was the 42 square meter tapestry for the Chichester Cathedral in England, designed by Ursula Benker-Schirmer and executed by the skilled hands of weaver Lilly Grimm-Seidinger between 1982 and 1985, representing the creation of the world.