Figure en gloire n°1

Figure en gloire n°1 (Figure in Glory No. 1) is a tapestry after Albert Gleizes, based on a 1935 composition and woven at Atelier Boccara. The work represents a later phase of his practice, where geometric structure is used to convey a more unified and elevated presence.

At the center, a figure emerges, simplified to the point of near abstraction. It is defined through soft, continuous curves rather than angular fragmentation, giving it a more fluid and contained form. The figure does not sit within a traditional space, but is held within an enclosing shape that frames it without isolating it.

This enclosing form—constructed through layered, overlapping planes—creates a sense of expansion around the figure. It acts less as a boundary and more as a field, allowing the central form to remain stable while the surrounding elements move outward.

Across the surface, arcs and circular segments establish a consistent rhythm. These forms repeat and shift, guiding the eye in a continuous motion rather than directing it toward a single focal point. The composition unfolds gradually, maintaining balance while allowing for variation within each section.

The palette is notably light. Whites, creams, and pale yellows dominate, giving the work an open and luminous quality. Deeper reds and blues appear toward the edges, anchoring the composition and preventing it from becoming diffuse.

Figure en gloire n°1 is composed with clarity and restraint. The elements are reduced, but carefully placed, resulting in a work that feels both structured and expansive—where geometry carries the weight of the image without excess.