The Spring Violin
Aubusson tapestry woven by the Pinton workshop.
With its label signed, No. 2/6.
1956.
Painter and engraver, Lucien Coutaud also works for the theater with Dullin, Barrault: he then creates numerous sets and costumes. But it is the meeting with Marie Cuttoli in 1933 that will lead him to tapestry: she commissions him especially for cartoons of seats. Most of the following tapestries will be 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 unusual borders very often.
The link is close between music and oneirism in Coutaud's universe: he conceives musical still lifes where instruments come to life (cf. »marine harp »), underlined by exuberant borders of eccentricity.
Bibliography :
Cat. Exp. Lucien Coutaud, woven work, Aubusson, Departmental Museum of Tapestry, 1988-1989, illustrated p.50
