L’oiseau surplombe la femme

The L’oiseau surplombe la femme tapestry reflects the energetic and expressive visual language of Corneille, one of the founding members of the CoBrA movement. Born Guillaume Cornelis van Beverloo in 1922, Corneille played a major role in the development of postwar European expressionism, embracing a spontaneous and instinctive approach to form and color. His work often draws on themes of nature, travel, and human connection, expressed through bold outlines and vibrant compositions.

This tapestry presents two of the artist’s most recognizable motifs: the bird and the female figure. In Corneille’s imagery, birds often symbolize movement, freedom, and the limitless possibilities of imagination, while the figure of the woman represents vitality and life. By placing the bird above the figure, the composition suggests a poetic dialogue between sky and earth, creating a visual balance between the aerial and the terrestrial.

Handwoven in wool by Atelier 3 in Paris, the tapestry translates Corneille’s lively drawing style into a richly textured textile form. The bold outlines and intense colors that characterize his paintings are carefully rendered through layered threads, allowing the composition to retain its immediacy while gaining the depth and warmth of a woven surface. Variations in the weave subtly animate the colors, creating an image that responds to changing light and perspective.

The L’oiseau surplombe la femme tapestry demonstrates how the playful spirit of the CoBrA movement can take on a monumental presence in tapestry form. Through its vivid palette and dynamic composition, the work brings a sense of vitality and expressive freedom to the architectural space in which it is displayed.