Smyrne 1926, few people know that Jean Lurçat was first a great painter

It is thanks to Guillaume Janneau, who used to run Le Mobilier National and its tapestry workshops, that Jean Lurçat (1892-1966) moved from being a successful painter to literally saving the art of French tapestry, in the 1940’s. « Four seasons » one of his masterpieces, was started with the war in 1939 and was made throughout until 1946.

Four seasons, “Spring”, 1946, Tabard at Aubusson

Conceived as a poem, his tapestries and canvases are inspired by medieval works, with a strong animal presence and the predominence of nature and man together.

Detail of “L’entrée d’un cavalier” 1925

Between Aubusson and the Gobelins, the two great French tapestry manufacturers, Lurçat produced many works including some political ones like « Freedom », or after the war in 1954, « Resistance », an ode in blue, red and white, to the courage of Frenchmen during the conflict. It is exhibited in the grand staircase of the museum.

“La grande baigneuse”, 1931

There are pieces of furniture, including some chairs designed by architect Pierre Chareau, covered with his tapestries (I used to sit on them at my old friend’s Gilberte Dreyfus) and a “causeuse” in front of a screen in similar style.

Portrait of a man, 1926

But what struck me the most were his early paintings, which are very audacious and colorful.

The scenography designed by Jean Michel Wilmotte (whose Russian orthodox cathedral near the Eiffel tower will soon be unveiled), is lively and playful. And the Gobelins building is well worth a visit if you have never been.
When you leave the Museum, on the right, there lies Lycée Jean Lurçat, another proof of the importance of the artist who died fifty years ago. (until September 18)

Lycée Jean Lurçat on avenue des Gobelins