The genesis of the project.
the works
En images
En ce moment
Les soutiens

The genesis of the project.

Composed of fourteen wall tapestries and two rugs, the "Aubusson Weaves Tolkien" tapestry series pays tribute to the original graphic work of British writer J.R.R. Tolkien. As early as 2010, the Cité internationale de la tapisserie began planning to reconnect with the historical tradition of large tapestries—sets of tapestries sharing a common theme or telling several episodes of the same story. It didn’t take long for the extraordinary universe of the author of The Lord of the Rings to be chosen by the Cité’s team. The works of J.R.R. Tolkien have been illustrated by various artists, but an interview with Christopher Tolkien, J.R.R. Tolkien's youngest son, published in Le Monde in 2012, convinced the Cité to focus on the author's own graphic work.

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A meeting with Christopher Tolkien and his wife, Baillie Tolkien, in 2013 marks the beginning of an important selection process within the rich body of illustrations created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Fourteen works are chosen, and an agreement is negotiated by Emmanuel Gérard, director of the Cité, and signed in 2016 between the Cité and the Tolkien Estate, representing the author's heirs. In 2020, the Tolkien family, wishing to complete the tapestry, proposes to the Cité the addition of two more works to the selection, bringing the total to sixteen weavings.

It will take seven years to adapt all of these illustrations into rugs and tapestries, an adventure that will bring together all the expertise of the Aubusson weaving industry. No fewer than seven workshops and manufactures from the Aubusson region, along with forty professionals, will have worked on creating the 160m2 of weaving that make up the tapestry. Completed in June 2024, the works of the "Aubusson weaves Tolkien" tapestry are displayed on rotation at the Cité and are also occasionally loaned to other institutions.

The genesis of the project.
the works
En images
En ce moment
Les soutiens

the works

Christmas 1926, d’après l'œuvre originale de J.R.R. Tolkien, © The Tolkien Estate Limited 1976.
Tapisserie, tissage Atelier Tapisserie Guillot, Aubusson, 2018.
Collection Cité internationale de la tapisserie

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Christmas 1928, d’après l'œuvre originale de J.R.R. Tolkien © The Tolkien Estate Limited 1976.
Tapisserie, tissage Atelier Tapisserie Guillot, Aubusson, 2019.
Collection Cité internationale de la tapisserie

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Christmas 1933, d’après l'œuvre originale de J.R.R. Tolkien, © The Tolkien Estate Limited 1976
Tapisserie 2,80m x 2,20m, tissage Atelier Just’Lissières, Aubusson, 2021
Collection Cité internationale de la tapisserie

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The Trolls, d’après l'œuvre originale de J.R.R. Tolkien, © The Tolkien Estate Limited 1937
Tapisserie, tissage Atelier Tapisserie Guillot Aubusson, 2019
Collection Cité internationale de la tapisserie

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Rivendell, d’après l'œuvre originale de J.R.R. Tolkien © The Tolkien Estate Limited 1937
Tapisserie, tissage Atelier Françoise Vernaudon, Aubusson, 2019
Collection Cité internationale de la tapisserie

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Bilbo woke up with the Early Sun in his Eyes, d’après l'œuvre originale de J.R.R. Tolkien, © The Tolkien Estate Limited 1937
Tapisserie, tissage Atelier Françoise Vernaudon, Aubusson, 2020
Collection Cité internationale de la tapisserie

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Conversation with Smaug d’après l'œuvre originale de J.R.R. Tolkien, © The Tolkien Estate Limited 1937
Tapisserie, tissage Atelier 2, Aubusson, 2022
Collection Cité internationale de la tapisserie

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Halls of Manwë – Taniquetil, d’après l'œuvre originale de J.R.R. Tolkien, © The Tolkien Trust 1973, tapisserie, tissage Ateliers Pinton, Aubusson, 2018, Collection Cité internationale de la tapisserie - Studio Nicolas Roger

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Númenórean Carpet, d’après l'œuvre originale de J.R.R. Tolkien © The Tolkien Trust 1977
Tapis au point noué, Manufacture Robert Four, 2021
Collection Cité internationale de la tapisserie

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Glórund sets forth to seek Túrin, d’après l'œuvre originale de J.R.R. Tolkien, © The Tolkien Trust 1977
Tapisserie, tissage Atelier Guillot, Aubusson, 2018
Collection Cité internationale de la tapisserie

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Moria gate, d’après l'œuvre originale de J.R.R. Tolkien © The Tolkien Trust 1995
Tapisserie, Atelier Françoise Vernaudon, 2021
Collection Cité internationale de la tapisserie

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Beleg finds Findling in taur-na-Fuin © The Tolkien Trust 1973, tapisserie
Tissage Ateliers Pinton, Felletin, 2024
Collection Cité internationale de la tapisserie - Studio Nicolas Roger

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Map of Middle earth, d’après l'œuvre originale de Christopher Tolkien © The Tolkien Estate Limited 1954
Tapis, tissage Atelier Tapisserie Guillot Aubusson, 2023
Collection Cité internationale de la tapisserie - Studio Nicolas Roge

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The Gardens of the Merking's palace, d’après l'œuvre originale de J.R.R. Tolkien,© The Tolkien Trust 1992,
Tapisserie, tissage Atelier A2, Aubusson, 2024
Collection Cité internationale de la tapisserie - Studio Nicolas Roger