Jean Lurquat, Composition, Original Lithograph, Mid 20th-Century

Composition is an original artwork realized by the french artist Jean Lurçat (1892 Bruyeres - 1966 St.-Paul-de-Vence). Lithograph print, mid-20th century. Very good conditions. Not signed. Jean Lurçat (1892 Bruyeres - 1966 St.-Paul-de-Vence), was a French artist noted for his role in the revival of contemporary tapestry. In 1912, Jean Lurçat took residence in Paris with his brother André. He enrolled at the Académie Colarossi, then at the workshop of the engraver, Bernard Naudin. He met painters such as Matisse, Cézanne, Renoir; his friends included Rainer Maria Rilke, Antoine Bourdelle, and Elie Faure. Lurçat and three associates founded the Feuilles de Mai (The leaves of May), a journal of art in which these celebrities participated. He then became an apprentice of the painter Jean-Paul Lafitte with whom he had an exhibition at La faculté des sciences de Marseille. In order to fully appreciate and understand the works of Jean Lurçat, one must view them in the context of the history of tapestry, in particular, the downfall of its existence during the rise of the Renaissance. It was during this time that tapestry was somewhat re-invented, whereby traditional techniques were misplaced in the likening of tapestry to paintings by artists of likes Raphael. Jean Lurçat is largely responsible for its revival in the 20th century when he redefined the importance of designing tapestry in a way that embraced the integrity of authentic tapestry from the Middle Ages, inspiring artists like Picasso to acquire the skills to design tapestry.