Lucien COUTAUD

Painter and engraver, Lucien Coutaud also worked for the theater with Dullin, Barrault: he then created numerous sets and costumes. But it was the meeting with Marie Cuttoli in 1933 that led him to tapestry: she commissioned him especially for chair cartoons. Most of the following tapestries were woven at Pinton for the Compagnie des Arts Français, which aims to integrate tapestry into interior decor. The last 3 tapestries by the artist in 1960 testify to his fame since 'Exotic Gardens' adorn the First Class lounge of the 'France'. The qualities of a scenographer influenced by surrealism are reflected in Coutaud's woven work: his universe is figurative, but stylized (the shapes are sharp, hatched), resolutely oneiric, with very often unusual borders.

“Chamber Music” seems far removed from the tragic times of war: the worrying roughness of later tapestries has not yet appeared, but oneirism, beauty of faces, border vegetation, leitmotifs of the artist, are already asserting themselves. A copy of the tapestry will be featured at the 1946 exhibition.

Bibliography:
The Love of Art, French Tapestry, 1946, ill. p.181
Collective, Wall and Wool, Pierre Tisné editions, 1946, plate 55
Jean Lurçat, French Tapestry, Bordas, 1947, plate 34
Cat. Exp. Lucien Coutaud, woven work, Aubusson, Departmental Tapestry Museum, 1988-1989, illustrated p.17