Camille Hilaire – Soleil Dans La Serre

Title/Series: Soleil Dans La Serre
Designer: Camille Hilaire (1916-2004)
Manufacture: Atelier Pinton Freres – Aubusson, France
Date: ca. 1950
Materials: Wool
Dimensions: 5ft. x 3ft 9 ½ in.

Apprenticed to a horticulturalist as a young man, Camille Hilaire often uses the greenhouse as a compositional motif in his tapestries.  The subsequent effect is like light coming from behind his tapestries illuminating, animating, and sensualizing his compositions.  A student of Jean Lurcat, Hilaire is also known for his allusions to antique Verdure tapestries by depicting abundant vegetation with a simple palette.