#Chagall's tapestry exhibition in Nice [PHOTO-VIDEO GALLERY]

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the death of Chagall, the National Museum Marc Chagall invites the public to discover a less known production of the artist: woven work.

After World War II, settled in the south of France, Marc Chagall was introduced to other techniques as painting or engraving. The artist sought to expand its plastic experiments: ceramics, stained glass, sculpture, mosaic and tapestry mobilise his energy.

During his lifetime, Chagall sees "fall of the loom" 20 tapestries for the decoration of public buildings or private collections. Made from works by Chagall, these tapestries were executed in close collaboration with the weavers of the national Gobelins or with a great tapestry specialist, Yvette Cauquil-Prince. 

Chagall and the tapestry

The first tapestries were woven by Manufacture Nationale des Gobelins in Paris between 1965 and 1968. This is a set of three monumental tapestries for the hall of the Knesset (parliament) in Jerusalem. In 1970 - 1971, it is again the Manufacture des Gobelins responsible for the execution of a tapestry for the future National Museum Marc Chagall Biblical Message in Nice.

But much of the work is woven according to Chagall's masterpieces, led by Yvette Cauquil-Prince. Major protagonist of the revival of the tapestry in the twentieth century, Yvette Cauquil-Prince (1928-2005) devoted her expertise and talent to the transcription in tapestry works of the greatest artists of the time: Pablo Picasso and Max Ernst Klee among many others.

Chagall met her in 1964. A brilliant interpreter of the work of the master, she excels in the restitution of pictorial effects by means of the tapestry.

She transposes into the woven pieces, the expressive richness of the painted, engraved or drawn works.

First exhibition of tapestries at the National Museum Marc Chagall

This is the first time the Marc Chagall National Museum celebrates this technique, represented in its collections by a single piece, created for the museum, "Mediterranean Landscape". The exhibition "Marc Chagall, woven works" unfolds throughout the museum. It provides exceptional confrontation between 12 shimmering or more nuanced tapestries and 12 original works by Chagall, who served as models for weaving.

The achievements with the Gobelin's weavers will be evoked by the tapestry created for the opening of the Museum (1973) and by the test printings, retail validated by Marc Chagall's tapestries for the Knesset. Other tapestries presented show vividly the talent of the  performer Yvette Cauquil-Prince. One room is dedicated to the art of tapestry where the public can find the materials needed for weaving.

Monumental transposition of Marc Chagall's colourful verve, the woven work is an extension of the painted or engraved work. It invites to think about the deregulation of creation, beyond the boundaries between artistic disciplines.

Open every day from 10h to 17h, 18h from May 2nd

Closed Tuesday and 1st May

Prices subject to change

Full price € 9, concessions € 7, groups € 7.50, including the permanent collection (from 10 people). Free for children under 26 years (EU nationals or long stay in the EU) and for all every 1st Sunday of the month.

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Tourism information : Nice