Jean LURÇAT (1892-1966) in AUBUSSON. "Grotte... Lot 48

Jean LURÇAT (1892-1966) in AUBUSSON. "Grotte noire". Wool tapestry signed and monogrammed by the Goubely-Gatien workshop in the weft, lower left. Titled, signed and numbered on the bolduc. Carton no. 1918, Mle no. 2025, 1960 edition. Height : 128 - Width : 246 cm (a tiny part detached) Jean Lurçat was born in the Vosges and began his career as a painter, but it was tapestry that brought him to the forefront, or perhaps more accurately, that restored tapestry to its former glory. In the 1930s, he set out to revitalize this neglected art form. In 1936, he had his first tapestry woven by the Manufacture des Gobelins, then moved to Aubusson in September 1939 with Marcel Gromaire and Pierre Dubreuil. There, he collaborated with a number of workshops, including that of Suzanne Goubely, from whom our work originates, who took over the business from her father, Emile Gatien. Goubely's modern taste contributed to Aubusson's success, and was a perfect match for Lurçat's ideas. Lurçat was not only an artist, he was also a true technician, developing a completely new and highly efficient method for making tapestries: numbered cardboard, reduced palette, wide-stitch weaving. Each number on the cardboard corresponds to a color, facilitating the work of the weaver. Without too much difficulty, Lurçat rallied people to his cause and initiated a myriad of disciples, including Jean Picart Le Doux, Marc Saint-Saëns and Dom Robert. At the entrance to this cave, the speleologist is delighted to encounter Jean Lurçat's astonishing bestiary. A salamander, a pair of turtles, butterflies, a bird and even some fish bring us into this lyrical world of warm yellow and brown tones. A decorative effect is guaranteed with this woollen panel created by the man who knew how to build a bridge between the tradition of the Middle Ages and the modernity of the 20th century.