Skirt Panel (Spain), late 18th century

The esteemed collector Richard Cranch Greenleaf (American, 1887–1961) kept meticulous notes on his personal collection and frequently included important provenance information on his acquisitions. In his handwritten catalog, entitled Catalogue of Laces, Waistcoats, Velvet Pictures, Embroidered Caps, Embroidery, Linen Tassels, Pocket Books, Purses, Bags, Velvets & Silks, Miscellaneous, All To Be Given To The Cooper Union he wrote that:

"One strip of black velvet — finished at both ends — the lower portion is figured with a dueling scene, a bridge, stream of water and fishermen. This velvet which is of skirt length was made for the dresses so often seen in the pictures of Goya. It is probably Spanish of the late 18th century. This example was given to me by my cousin J.J. Reubell who purchased it many years ago in Spain. Five strips originally. One sold to Providence and three given to Cooper Union in 1952."

Greenleaf’s cousin, Jean Jacques Reubell (French, 1850–1933), was a respected collector of European court swords and daggers. Upon his death in 1933, portions of his collection were dispersed at auction at Hôtel Drouot in Paris when five sales were held there from 1933–1934. A very select group of objects from his collection were bequeathed to various museums: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the Museum at Colmar, France, and the Instituto Valencia de Don Juan in Madrid.

Jean Jacques Reubell, also known as Jack Reubell, was a descendent of a wealthy and well-known Alsatian family; his great-grandfather was Jean-François Reubell, member and director of the Directory, which governed France from 1795–1799. Several family members, including his mother, were respected collectors. He very likely was drawn to these velvet panels because of the dueling swordsmen depicted in the fabric.

Skirt Panel (Spain), late 18th century; silk; Bequest of Richard Cranch Greenleaf in memory of his mother, Adeline Emma Greenleaf; 1962-56-53