São Paulo
Material: Handwoven wool tapestry from Atelier Pinton workshop
Dimensions : 104 x 77 in, 265 x 195 cm
Date: c. 1953
Provenance: Private French Collection
Condition Report: Excellent
Edition: From an edition of 6
Detailed information
Fernand Léger “São Paulo” Tapestry
Fernand Léger’s São Paulo (1953) is a rare and highly sought-after handwoven tapestry conceived from a design originally created for an unrealized auditorium project by architect Oscar Niemeyer in São Paulo, Brazil. Drawn from Léger’s celebrated painting La Danse (1942, Musée National Fernand Léger, Biot), the composition captures the artist at the height of his mature style, with bold graphic outlines, simplified human forms, and vibrant fields of color. Intended for an architectural setting, the design reflects Léger’s conviction that modern art should exist beyond the canvas and become part of everyday life, integrated into public and monumental spaces.
What makes São Paulo especially compelling is the way its interlocking figures and dynamic rhythms translate Léger’s vision into textile form. The strong black contours and saturated primary colors create movement and energy across the surface, giving the tapestry a powerful presence that feels both modern and timeless. Produced in a limited edition and woven by the renowned Pinton atelier in Aubusson, this tapestry represents a rare convergence of fine art, architecture, and master craftsmanship. Today, São Paulo stands as an exceptional example of Léger’s ambition to merge art and design at scale, and as a distinctive collector’s piece that embodies the spirit of 20th-century modernism.
Detailed information
Fernand Léger “São Paulo” Tapestry
Fernand Léger’s São Paulo (1953) is a rare and highly sought-after handwoven tapestry conceived from a design originally created for an unrealized auditorium project by architect Oscar Niemeyer in São Paulo, Brazil. Drawn from Léger’s celebrated painting La Danse (1942, Musée National Fernand Léger, Biot), the composition captures the artist at the height of his mature style, with bold graphic outlines, simplified human forms, and vibrant fields of color. Intended for an architectural setting, the design reflects Léger’s conviction that modern art should exist beyond the canvas and become part of everyday life, integrated into public and monumental spaces.
What makes São Paulo especially compelling is the way its interlocking figures and dynamic rhythms translate Léger’s vision into textile form. The strong black contours and saturated primary colors create movement and energy across the surface, giving the tapestry a powerful presence that feels both modern and timeless. Produced in a limited edition and woven by the renowned Pinton atelier in Aubusson, this tapestry represents a rare convergence of fine art, architecture, and master craftsmanship. Today, São Paulo stands as an exceptional example of Léger’s ambition to merge art and design at scale, and as a distinctive collector’s piece that embodies the spirit of 20th-century modernism.
