Françoise Pétrovitch's monumental tapestry reimagines George Sand at Aubusson

Françoise Pétrovitch has unveiled a monumental 23-meter-long tapestry titled "George" at the Cité internationale de la tapisserie d'Aubusson, commissioned for the 150th anniversary of George Sand's death. The work avoids a chronological narrative, instead presenting fragmented, evocative scenes of Sand's life as a free woman, writer, and botanist. Pétrovitch collaborated closely with the manufacture Robert Four, using over 1,200 shades of wool to translate the fluidity of her signature ink wash technique into textile. The tapestry, which took nearly 8,000 hours over two years, serpentines through the gallery space, allowing visitors to view both sides. It incorporates motifs such as long hair, reclining female figures, and a smoker, subtly updating Sand's cigar to a cigarette. The project involved a predominantly female team of weavers, echoing Sand's feminist legacy. The exhibition runs from June 9 to September 20, 2026.