Jean Lurçat (French, 1892–1966)
Jean Lurçat was a French artist and weaver credited with bringing tapestries back into contemporary popularity. His works often featured recurring motifs such as nature, animals, and the cosmos, becoming increasingly ambitious and detailed over time. One of his most famous works, The Eighth Tapestry of the World’s Song (1957–1966), depicts an entire cosmology of ancient world mythical figures. He was born on July 1, 1892 in Bruyeres, France, and studied at the Académie Colarossi where his classmates included Henri Matisse, Paul Cézanne, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. In 1915, he participated in his first exhibition in Zürich, and in 1917, completed Filles Vertes and Soirée dans Grenade—his first major tapestry work. During the 1920s, the artist traveled around Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia, making tapestries along the way on commission and becoming one of the first Western artists to exhibit in Soviet Russia. Lurçat died on January 6, 1966 in Saint-Paul de Vence, France.
The beginning of the collection of Jean Lurçat tapestries
Didier Marien, has been collecting Jean Lurçat’s works for many years.
In fact, Didier Marien met Jean Lurçat’s wife, Simone Andrée Marie-Louise Lurçat, and thanks to her he discovered the works of the great artist.
Didier Marien immediately noticed the originality and boldness that distinguish Jean Lurçat and decided to devote a large part of his collection to the artist.
The Boccara collection today presents a remarkable collection of the artist who proposed an epic, poetic, symbolic and humanistic vision of the 20th century through his works and who has become a key figure in the history of tapestry.
All his tapestries are hand-made and every detail is carefully studied.
The Boccara Gallery is pleased to offer a panorama of the works of Jean Lurçat, an artist who has recently begun to be discovered for his undeniable talent and innovative works.