L’Etoile Aux Trois Couleurs

L’Etoile Aux Trois Couleurs (Three-Colored Star) is a striking tapestry by Alexander Calder, woven in 1971 by the renowned Pinton Frères workshop in Aubusson. As an artist’s proof (EXA), this work holds a particularly important place within the edition, representing one of the final and most refined expressions of the design.

The composition is immediately defined by Calder’s bold use of color and form. A vivid yellow star radiates outward at the center, layered over a red star and set against a deep blue crescent shape. These primary elements are anchored within a dynamic field of black-and-white linear patterns, which ripple across the background in rhythmic, almost hypnotic movement. The contrast between the flat, saturated color planes and the energetic linear ground creates a visual tension that is both playful and highly structured.

Calder’s ability to balance simplicity with complexity is fully evident here. The central star forms are direct and iconic, yet their interaction with the surrounding lines introduces a sense of vibration and motion. The composition feels as though it is expanding outward, with the layered shapes pushing against the optical movement of the background. This interplay reflects Calder’s lifelong exploration of movement—most famously realized in his mobiles—translated here into a static medium that nonetheless feels alive.

The translation into tapestry enhances these qualities through material richness and precision. Pinton’s weaving captures the sharp edges and bold contrasts of Calder’s design while introducing subtle variations in texture. The wool surface softens the intensity of the graphic lines, allowing light to interact with the composition and create depth beyond the flatness of the original design.

Calder’s collaboration with Pinton, which began in the early 1960s, resulted in some of the most successful translations of modernist abstraction into textile form. Produced in strictly limited editions, with additional artist’s proofs, these tapestries remain among the most sought-after works within his oeuvre.

Signed within the composition and bearing the atelier monogram, L’Etoile Aux Trois Couleurs is preserved in excellent condition and accompanied by full documentation. Both visually immediate and compositionally sophisticated, it stands as a powerful example of Calder’s ability to distill form and color into a work of enduring impact.