Peinture à Trois éléments

The Peinture à Trois éléments rug is based on a 1924 gouache by Albert Gleizes, a key figure in the development of Cubism and one of its most influential theorists. Created during a period when Gleizes was refining his ideas around rhythm, structure, and multiple viewpoints, the original composition demonstrates his ability to balance abstraction with a subtle sense of figuration.

At the center of the composition, a stylized figure emerges within a vertical column of saturated red. The form is both structured and fluid, its presence defined as much by surrounding shapes as by its own contours. The deep red field acts as a visual anchor, bordered by warm yellow and rich beige tones that create a sense of depth and enclosure. Around this central axis, lighter geometric elements—rendered in off-white and soft coral—introduce movement and contrast, framing the figure while maintaining the overall balance of the composition.

This interplay between figure and structure is characteristic of Gleizes’s work from this period. Rather than isolating the human form, he integrates it into a broader system of planes and rhythms, allowing it to function as part of the composition’s internal logic. The result is a work that feels both composed and alive, where each element contributes to a unified visual progression.

Handwoven in wool and natural silk, the rug translates this composition into a tactile medium that enhances its depth and nuance. The combination of fibers creates subtle variations in texture and light, allowing the central red field and surrounding forms to shift gently depending on perspective. The softness of the material brings warmth to the geometry without diminishing its clarity.

Produced in a limited edition of eight by Atelier Boccara, the rug features a woven signature and numbering integrated into the design. The work is documented in the Albert Gleizes Catalogue Raisonné (Somogy éditions d’Art, 1998, p. 352), anchoring it within the artist’s established body of work. Customizable in material, dimensions, and color palette, it offers flexibility while preserving the structure and balance of Gleizes’s original composition.