Lucien COUTAUD

Painter and engraver, Lucien Coutaud also worked for the theatre with Dullin, Barrault: he then produced numerous sets and costumes. But it was his meeting with Marie Cuttoli in 1933 that led him to tapestry: she then commissioned him primarily to make seat cartons. Most of the following tapestries were woven chez Pinton for the Compagnie des Arts Français, which aimed to integrate tapestry into the interior décor. The last three tapestries by the artist in 1960 testify to his reputation, since “Jardins exotiques” decorates the sitting room of the Première Classe “France”. The qualities of a scenographer influenced by surrealism are reflected in Coutaud’s woven work: his universe is figurative, yet stylized (the forms are sharp, chopped), resolutely dreamlike, with unusual borders very often. The evocation of the great myths remains rare in modern tapestry, but the allegorical function (to be compared with “Thésée et le Minotaure” by Saint-Saëns in particular) of the hero going down to the Underworld to bring back his beloved remains open to interpretation in these wartime years. Here, moreover, it is more the theme of musical inspiration that prevails (Coutaud was close to Milhaud, Lifar, or Claude Lute) within the artist’s usual dreamlike register. One example was shown at the 1946 exhibition. In addition, there is a variant of the tapestry, of larger dimensions, with extra borders. Bibliography : Collectif, Muraille et laine, éditions pierre Tisné, 1946, planche 57 Cat. Exp. Lucien Coutaud, œuvre tissé, Aubusson, Musée Départemental de la Tapisserie, 1988-1989, illustrée p.25 Robert Guinot, la tapisserie, Aubusson et Felletin, éditions Dessagne, ill.p.20-21 Cat. Exp. Le salon de musique, Felletin, église du château, 2002, ill. p.36