Femme et enfant ou Maternité Glorieuse

Femme et enfant ou Maternité Glorieuse (Glorious Motherhood) is a tapestry after Albert Gleizes, based on a 1916 composition. Woven at Atelier Boccara, the work reflects his approach to what is often referred to as “sacred Cubism,” where traditional subject matter is restructured through geometry rather than perspective.

The composition centers on the relationship between mother and child, but the figures are not described in a naturalistic way. Instead, they are constructed through overlapping arcs and circular forms that create a sense of movement within the image. These repeating curves guide the eye across the surface, giving the composition a steady, internal rhythm.

The space around the figures is treated in the same way as the figures themselves. Planes of color intersect and expand outward, forming a kind of geometric field rather than a background. Around the heads, these circular structures read as a reinterpretation of the halo—less symbolic in a traditional sense, more integrated into the overall structure.

Color is warm and grounded. Ochres, reds, and greens are balanced with areas of white, creating a palette that feels stable and contained. The contrast is measured, allowing the composition to remain cohesive even as the forms fragment and overlap.

Despite its construction, the image holds together clearly. The repetition of curves creates continuity, and the figures remain legible within the abstraction. There is a sense of protection in how the forms interlock, reinforcing the central relationship without relying on detail.

Maternité Glorieuse bridges tradition and modernism. It retains the presence of a familiar subject while reworking it into a composition defined by structure, rhythm, and controlled movement.