# Border Designs for the Mortlake "Acts of the Apostles" Tapestries

**Franz Cleyn** (German, 1582–1658)  
ca. 1626–36  
Watercolor with white heightening, details in pen and ink and graphite  
Sheet (each): 36 3/8 × 4 5/16 in. (92.5 × 10.9 cm)

Courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2021.186a, b. [The museum's record](https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/853452).

## About this work

Franz Cleyn painted this in about 1626–36, aged about 39. It is now at The Met in New York.

### How it was made

- **Watercolour.** Pigment in gum arabic, thinned with water and laid in transparent washes. Nothing white is painted: the light is the paper showing through.
- **Graphite.** Pencil. Graphite has been used for drawing since the 1500s; in 1795 Nicolas-Jacques Conté mixed it with clay, so its hardness could be graded.
- **Pen and ink.** Drawn with a quill or reed pen, often with wash added by brush to model light and shadow.

### [Franz Cleyn](https://www.ochreeditions.com/artists/franz-cleyn)

German, 1582–1658; born in Rostock; died in London

## Facts

- Type: Drawings
- The artist was about 39
- Real size: about 36 × 4½ in (93 × 11 cm). The original is larger than our largest print, 18 × 24 in, so every print is a reduction.
- Century: 17th century
- Colour: brown
- Rights: public domain (CC0 1.0); free to use for any purpose.

## Get it

- Free download, full resolution: https://img.ochreeditions.com/m/1293.jpg?dl=1
- Image: https://img.ochreeditions.com/a/1293/1920.jpg
- Giclée reproduction on Hahnemühle Photo Rag: 8 × 10 in $28; 11 × 14 in $38; 12 × 16 in $42; 16 × 20 in $56; 18 × 24 in $68
- Framed reproduction: 8 × 10 in $78; 11 × 14 in $98; 12 × 16 in $108; 16 × 20 in $138; 18 × 24 in $164
- Canvas reproduction: 8 × 10 in $58; 11 × 14 in $72; 12 × 16 in $79; 16 × 20 in $98; 18 × 24 in $118
- Print-ready file: 8 × 10 in $2; 11 × 14 in $2; 12 × 16 in $3; 16 × 20 in $3; 18 × 24 in $3

Sizes stop where the museum's file would print below 150 pixels per inch. Everything sold is a reproduction, made to order. [Order a print](https://www.ochreeditions.com/art/border-designs-for-the-mortlake-acts-of-the-apostles-tapestr-met-853452).