Le Corbusier’s La licorne passe sur la mer, created in 1960, stands as a powerful example of his ability to extend modernist thinking into textile. Woven in wool in a limited edition of 1/5 by the Atelier Pinton in Felletin, this large-scale work translates his visual language into a structured and deeply tactile composition.
The scene unfolds through a poetic and symbolic vocabulary, where fragmented forms, bold contours, and flat color planes interact within a carefully balanced space. Suggestive of both human figures and abstract elements, the composition reflects Le Corbusier’s constant dialogue between order and freedom. Strong contrasts—between deep blacks, vibrant reds, and softer neutral tones—reinforce the architectural clarity of the design while introducing rhythm and visual tension.
In woven form, his exploration of proportion and composition gains a new material presence. The texture of wool softens the graphic intensity, allowing the composition to resonate with greater depth and nuance. Produced by one of the most respected French workshops, this work embodies the dialogue between avant-garde creation and traditional craftsmanship.
Preserved in excellent condition and originating from a private French collection, La licorne passe sur la mer remains a rare and significant work, where architecture, image, and symbolism converge into a timeless textile statement.
