Joan Miró Tapestries at PAD LONDON
Joan Miró and the art of tapestry: Two exceptional works exhibited by Galerie Hadjer
Galerie Hadjer is proud to present two emblematic masterpieces by the famous Catalan artist Joan Miró, who was passionate about the art of Aubusson tapestry. These works, ‘Hirondelle Amour’ (1974) and ‘La Femme au Miroir’ (1965), not only illustrate Miró’s artistic commitment to this exceptional form of craftsmanship, but also tell fascinating stories that link them to prestigious venues such as MoMA in New York and the Palais de l’Élysée in Paris.
1 ‘Hirondelle Amour’ (1974): A work woven of memory and generosity
Hirondelle Amour’ is a monumental tapestry that embodies Joan Miró’s dreamlike, poetic universe. Designed in 1974, it is one of a series of experiments the artist carried out in collaboration with the master weavers of Aubusson, a town renowned for its exceptional tapestries.
The story of this tapestry takes a particularly interesting turn with its link to the famous American philanthropist Nelson Rockefeller. In 1974, Rockefeller, who owned a painting by Miró, offered to generously donate it to the prestigious Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. In exchange, he asked the artist to create a tapestry based on the work. Hirondelle Amour’ thus took shape in the Aubusson workshops, transcending the limits of painting to become a unique work of textile art.
Miró’s collaboration with Aubusson was not simply an exercise in transposition. The Catalan artist was closely involved in the creative process, bringing innovations in the rendering of textures and colours, while respecting the traditional art of tapestry. The end result is a vibrant work, where the organic shapes and vivid colours capture the essence of the original work while adding a new tactile dimension.
Today, this tapestry is a centrepiece of the MoMA collection, symbolising both Joan Miró’s legacy in modern art and Aubusson’s expertise as a vehicle for innovation and creativity.
2. “La Femme au Miroir (1965): A work of art at the heart of the Élysée Palace
Designed in 1965, ‘La Femme au Miroir’ is another monumental tapestry created by Joan Miró in collaboration with the Aubusson workshops. This work, which depicts a stylised and enigmatic female figure, was exhibited in a prestigious location: the Palais de l’Élysée in Paris, the official residence of the President of the French Republic.
Miró was fascinated by the art of tapestry and saw it as a means of exploring new artistic perspectives. La Femme au Miroir bears witness to this fascination, with its abstract forms, bright colours and symbolic interpretation of the feminine. The tapestry, faithful to Miró’s aesthetic, succeeds in capturing the artist’s emotional depth and poetry, while remaining true to Aubusson’s centuries-old weaving techniques.
Installed at the Élysée Palace, this tapestry also symbolises the international recognition of Miró’s work, as well as the importance of French craftsmanship in the world’s cultural heritage. It illustrates both the modernity of twentieth-century art and the richness of Aubusson’s craft traditions.
Joan Miró and Aubusson: a meeting between modernity and tradition
Joan Miró became deeply interested in tapestry after discovering the Aubusson workshops in the 1960s. Aubusson, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its weaving techniques dating back to the Middle Ages. Miró, attracted by the possibility of expressing his art through different materials, worked closely with the weavers of Aubusson, bringing his unique vision and reinventing the art of tapestry through his abstract and colourful forms.
The two works presented by the Galerie Hadjer, ‘Hirondelle Amour’ and ‘La Femme au Miroir’, perfectly illustrate this encounter between Miró’s artistic modernity and the traditional skills of Aubusson. These monumental tapestries embody not only the artist’s creative talent, but also the excellence of the Aubusson craftsmen who brought Miró’s poetic and singular visions to life.
Conclusion: An artistic heritage to discover
Through these two works, Galerie Hadjer invites you to plunge into the fascinating world of Joan Miró and his commitment to Aubusson tapestry. Hirondelle Amour’ and “La Femme au Miroir” are more than tapestries, they are bridges between tradition and innovation, between modern art and age-old craftsmanship. Discover these masterpieces in our gallery, and let yourself be transported by the timeless beauty of the art of Aubusson tapestry, sublimated by the genius of Miró.
