Divided into four distinct quadrants, the central area of this tapestry presents a rich symbolic landscape. Each section, hinting at the multifaceted nature of “Les amours jaunes” – perhaps alluding to youthful affection, envy, or even the sting of betrayal, reminiscent of Tristan Corbière’s “Les Amours Jaunes” – offers a unique visual. We see burgeoning leaves suggesting growth and plenty, a stylized human face that could represent the object of affection or the artist themselves, a delicate butterfly embodying fleeting beauty and change, and a steadfast tortoise signifying resilience and introspection. Encircling these images, surreal birds and botanical motifs act as sentinels over the emotional realm Lurçat so poetically depicts. Crafted as a unified whole at the renowned Atelier Tabard in Aubusson, the tapestry stands as a technical and emotional triumph, a radiant illustration of mid-century modernism’s fascination with myth, the natural world, and the complexities of human emotion.
