Jean Lurçat – L’Acquarium
Corot Paris Edition
L’Acquarium is a bold mid-century tapestry edited by Corot, Paris, after a gouache by Jean Lurçat. The composition presents stylized marine and vegetal forms in Lurçat’s unmistakable graphic language. Rather than a literal aquarium scene, the work evokes a contained symbolic cosmos — a structured world where aquatic life becomes emblem rather than illustration.
In Lurçat’s oeuvre, aquatic imagery often functions as a metaphor for a self-contained universe — a microcosm governed by balance, tension, and renewal. The enclosed world of L’Acquarium reflects his broader post-war exploration of order within fragility, where nature becomes both symbol and structure. Disciplined black contours and saturated color fields create a strong architectural presence, making the tapestry equally compelling in modernist and classical interiors.
The reverse bears its original Corot Paris label, gently softened with age yet clearly identifiable, reading:
“L’AQUARIUM D’APRES UNE GOUACHE DE JEAN LURCAT, VARIANTE A, EXEMPLAIRE N, FRANCE, the artist's signature, EDITE PAR COROT, 65 CHAMPS-ELYSEES – PARIS.”
About Jean Lurçat
Jean Lurçat (1892–1966) was one of the most influential French artists of the 20th century and the driving force behind the revival of modern tapestry. Initially trained as a painter, he exhibited in Paris in the 1920s and moved within avant-garde circles alongside Picasso and Braque. In the 1930s, he turned decisively toward tapestry, convinced that it was a monumental art form capable of expressing modern thought with lasting material presence.
Lurçat fundamentally reformed the practice of Aubusson weaving by restoring strong outlines, simplifying color systems, and reintroducing clarity of composition — principles that reshaped contemporary textile art internationally. His monumental cycle Le Chant du Monde (1957–1966), conceived as a modern counterpart to the medieval Apocalypse Tapestry of Angers, stands as his masterpiece. Created over nearly a decade, it measures approximately 80 meters in length and 4.40 meters in height, making it the largest contemporary tapestry ensemble of its time. The cycle reflects on humanity, destruction, and renewal in the atomic age and firmly established Lurçat as the leading modern tapestry designer of his generation.
His works are held in major museum collections worldwide, and he was awarded the Grand Prix National des Arts in France. Today, Lurçat’s tapestries are celebrated for their powerful symbolism, bold graphic language, and architectural presence, making them cornerstone pieces of serious mid-century collections.
Condition:
Excellent vintage condition.
Approx. dimensions:
Width 74.80 in (190 cm); Height 47.24 in (120 cm).
Shipping & Insurance
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Interior images are shown for visual context only. Decorative accessories not included.
