La Poire, Le Fromage, et Le Serpent

The La Poire, Le Fromage, et Le Serpent tapestry embodies Alexander Calder’s playful and inventive approach to abstraction, where everyday forms are transformed into a dynamic visual language. Created in 1975 and woven by Atelier Pinton Frères in Felletin, this work belongs to the celebrated Bicentennial series, a group of six designs marking a pivotal moment in Calder’s late career.

The composition brings together a series of stylized elements suggested by the title—a pear, a piece of cheese, and a serpent—yet these references remain abstracted and integrated into a larger rhythmic structure. Calder avoids literal representation, instead distilling each form into bold silhouettes and curving lines that interact across the surface. The result is a composition that feels at once whimsical and carefully balanced.

Color plays a central role in activating the design. Strong contrasts of red, blue, black, and lighter tones create a sense of movement and visual tension, guiding the eye across the tapestry. These saturated hues, characteristic of Calder’s palette, reinforce the energetic quality of the composition while maintaining clarity and cohesion.

The translation into wool enhances Calder’s graphic vocabulary by introducing texture and depth. The handwoven surface softens the edges of each form while preserving their structural integrity, allowing the composition to retain its boldness while gaining a tactile presence. Subtle variations in the weave interact with light, giving the surface a quiet sense of movement.

Although conceived as part of an edition of 200, only a limited number were ultimately realized, contributing to the rarity of each example. Preserved in perfect condition and sourced from a private French collection, La Poire, Le Fromage, et Le Serpent reflects Calder’s ability to merge humor, abstraction, and formal precision within the enduring medium of tapestry.