The Owl
Aubusson tapestry woven by the Avignon workshop.
With its selvedge signed by the artist's heir.
1959.
Elie Maingonnat directed the National School of Decorative Arts in Aubusson from 1930 to 1958, succeeding Marius Martin (who had already advocated limiting colors and using hatching), whose student he had been. In addition to his official duties, Maingonnat himself created cartoons: dense plant motifs enlivened by a few animals, reflecting the flora and fauna of the Limousin region, revitalized the traditional verdure theme of the 17th and 18th centuries.
Our cardboard is typical of Maingonnat's work: the local fauna and flora, as if in symbiosis, are illustrated in a limited range of autumnal colors.
Bibliography:
Exhibition catalog. Elie Maingonnat, Aubusson, Musée départemental de la Tapisserie, 1986-1987
