French sculptor Émile Gilioli crafted each piece to polished perfection. His smooth marble and bronze abstract sculptures feature reflective surfaces, graceful curves and sudden, sharp lines and angles. And while Gilioli was obsessed with refinement in his three-dimensional work, his abstract prints and watercolors reveal a looser, more expressive approach. No matter the chosen medium, his inner artist always shone through.
Gilioli was born in 1911 to a family of Italian shoemakers living in Paris. When he was three years old, his family moved back to Italy and settled in Mantua, where young Gilioli was eventually employed at the local forge. After World War I, his family moved back to France and Gilioli attended the Ecole des Arts Décoratifs and Beaux-Arts de Paris. He started working as a sculpture craftsman at 17 years old, and at 19, he joined the studio of Jean Boucher.
During World War II, Gilioli was stationed in Grenoble. There, he spent time at the Musée de Grenoble and was introduced to Cubism. Upon his return to Paris in 1945, he became one of the key figures in the city's burgeoning abstractionist movement. That same year, he held his first exhibition in Grenoble and also showed at two salons in Paris, in 1947 and ’49.
Gilioli eventually settled in the commune of Saint-Martin-de-la-Cluze, where he opened a sculpture atelier. Throughout the 1950s, he continued to pave the way for abstract sculpture in the country, frequently exhibiting with artists like Alicia Penalba, François Stahly and Étienne Martin. Throughout his long career, Gilioli designed many large sculptures for public spaces.
In 1997, to mark the 20-year anniversary of his death, the commune of Saint-Martin-de-la-Cluze purchased his workshop and home, turning the property into a museum to permanently display his creations.
Gilioli's sculptures and works on paper are held in museums in France and around the world, including the Musée de Grenoble, the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Tate Gallery in London, the São Paulo Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.
On 1stDibs, find Émile Gilioli prints, drawings, sculptures and more.
Emile Gilioli “Pure Aggression” – Wool Tapestry – Handwoven in France
By Émile Gilioli
Located in New York, NY
Emile Gilioli "Pure Agression (Agressivité pure)" Tapestry Adorned with the vibrant hues and intricate craftsmanship of Aubusson tapestry, "Pure Aggression" stands as a testament to ...
Wool
Emile Gilioli "The fall of Icarus" - Aubusson Tapestry - French Modern Design
By Émile Gilioli
Located in New York, NY
"The fall of Icarus", Aubusson tapestry signed Emile Gilioli Gilioli - "Chute d'Icare" Material: Wool Year: 1966 Dimensions: 130 x 162 cm/ 4.2 x 5.3 ft Aubusson tapestry woven...
Wool
1960s "Les Nuits Et Les Jours" Tapestry by Emile Gilioli
By Émile Gilioli
Located in Paris, FR
Emile Gilioli Les nuits et les jours 1969 Tapisserie de lice Manufacture Nationale de Beauvais Signature : en bas à gauche MBN / en bas à droite Gilioli Les tapisseries de Gilioli se situent dans cette recherche de l’absolu, de la pureté, de la spiritualité qui marque toute son oeuvre. « D’abord j’aime la laine...
Wool
$1,500Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.4 in W 31 in D 0.2 in
Boos Wool Tapestry, Contemporary Wall Hanging, Naturally Dyed and Handwoven
By Andrew Boos
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This wall hanging is a one of a kind heirloom piece. Taking inspiration from brutalism, mid-century abstraction, and Joseph Albers studies on the interaction of color. The entire pr...
Wool, Cotton
$5,780Sale Price|20% Off
H 80.32 in W 60.24 in D 0.3 in
Antique French Tapestry Handwoven French Tapestry Verdure Scenic Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
This is a beautiful pictorial antique French tapestry created after William Morris, inspired by the famous mille fleurs tapestries of Cluny, Paris, and featuring a richly detailed ve...
Wool
$932
H 45.67 in W 36.62 in D 0.28 in
Nice French Aubusson Style Jacquard Tapestry « Romance of the Rose »
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
"Exquisite Aubusson-style mid century tapestry featuring a captivating medieval design. A magnificent tapestry depicting the Romance of the Rose, an iconic work of medieval literatur...
Wool, Cotton, Acrylic
Wool Wall Tapestry by Eva Németh, Hungary, 1960s Modernist
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a very striking handwoven wool wall tapestry by Hungarian textile artist Eva Németh, executed in the 1960s. The vertically structured composition features stylized female fig...
Wool
$280 / item
H 35.44 in W 22.84 in D 1.58 in
LLAMA Sheep Wool Handwoven Tapestry, Aged Bronze Wall Mount, Ivory
By Alejandro Moyano (ANDEAN)
Located in Miami, FL
Handwoven sheep wool tapestry with wall-mounting lathed aged bronze bases, and stainless steel rod. Capturing the essence of the Andes, these pieces are created using ancient weavin...
Bronze, Stainless Steel
French Tapestry Aubusson Style, 1880
By Aubusson Manufacture
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Original French tapestry Aubusson style, France, 1880. Wall decoration (machine) woven, no print. good vintage condition. Free shipping quote with...
Tapestry
Italian Mid Century Modern Tapestry circa 1960s
Located in Atlanta, GA
Italian Mid Century Modern Tapestry, Italy, circa 1960s. Abstract architectural design.
Fabric, Textile
Large 1970s Modern Handwoven Wool Tapestry, Abstract Design, Vintage
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Large 1970’s Modern handwoven wool abstract tapestry art. Can be hung on a rod or frame. In good original vintage configuration with minor wear consistent with age. Measurements...
Wool
$825
H 51.19 in W 39.38 in D 0.2 in
Vintage French Wall Tapestry, Wine Harvest Scene by JP Paris Gobelin, 1960s
By JP Paris Panneaux Gobelins
Located in COLMAR, FR
This vintage French wall tapestry beautifully merges Renaissance-inspired imagery with the refined graphic style of the 1960s. Printed on thick woven cotton, it portrays a lively win...
Metal
$2,372
H 41.74 in W 63 in D 0.28 in
pretty antique French medieval design Aubusson style Jacquard tapestry
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
"Experience the timeless elegance of 'Scènes Galantes,' a stunning early 20th century French tapestry featuring a medieval design inspired by the 15th-century masterpiece from the Cl...
Wool
$7,877
H 75.99 in W 51.97 in D 0.3 in
Antique French Tapestry Handwoven French Tapestry Aubusson Verdure Tapestry
Located in New York, NY
Rare Antique French Tapestry Verdure Human Flirting Scene Beige after "Francois Boucher" "This is an outstanding one-of-a-kind handmade Antique French Aubusson Tapestry after "Franc...
Wool
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Handwoven Tapestry, Abstract Design, Wool
Located in Barrington, IL
This vintage Mid-Century Modern handwoven tapestry is a stunning example of textile art from the mid-1900s, offering both artistic value and design versatility. Featuring a bold abstract composition, the piece is skillfully woven in a dynamic palette of red, yellow, pink, brown, and tan, capturing the vibrant spirit of the era. The intricate craftsmanship and rich colors bring warmth and texture to any space, making it an ideal focal point for modern, eclectic, or retro-inspired interiors. Whether displayed in a living room, study, or entryway, this tapestry adds a distinctive artistic presence and celebrates the timeless appeal of mid-century textile art. Dimensions: 32” x 45” x .25” Date of Manufacture: 3rd Quarter of the 1900s Place of Origin: Scandinavia Material: wool, cotton Condition: Excellent The Persian Knot Gallery, SKU: 2204 Mid-Century Modern tapestry, vintage wall art, handwoven tapestry, abstract textile art, mid-century textile, colorful wall tapestry, retro wall hanging, vintage woven art, mid-century home decor, vintage abstract art, 1950s tapestry, 1960s wall art, woven wall decor, collectible textile art, handmade vintage tapestry, red yellow pink brown tapestry, modernist wall art, mid century design tapestry, Vintage Tapestry Wall Art, Vintage Woven Wall Art, Scandinavian Wall Art, Modern Wall Art, Fabric Wall Art, Handwoven Textiles, Loom Art, Textile Art on the Wall, Modernist Tapestry, Mid Century Wall Tapestry...
Wool, Cotton
Set of Four 20th Century French Gilioli Lithographs
By Émile Gilioli
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A collection of four mid-20th Century abstract geometric lithographs in black, white and red. By French sculptor and painter Emile Gilioli (1911 – 1977). All signed and numbered 2/5...
Paper
Sold
H 31.11 in W 24.81 in D 1.19 in
Emile Gilioli (1911-1977) : Abstract Composition, Pastel. Circa 1960
By Émile Gilioli
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Emile GILIOLI (1911-1977) : Abstract composition Pastel drawingon paper Gilded wooden baguette frame Signed lower left France, circa 1960 Dimensions (frame included): Height 79...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Sold
H 108.27 in W 91.74 in D 0.99 in
Unique XL artist tapestry by Émile Gilioli "Noir, rouge et Blanc", ca. 1970
By Ewald Kröner, Émile Gilioli
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Unique artist tapestry by Émile Gilioli – "Noir, rouge et blanc", woven by Ewald Kröner, ca. 1970. An intriguing and rare abstract artwork, executed in a tufted woven wool tapestry i...
Wool
Sold
H 26.97 in W 35.63 in D 1.38 in
Unique metal relief "Collage en métal découpé" by Émile Gilioli, France 1971
By Émile Gilioli
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Unique metal relief "Collage en métal découpé" by Émile Gilioli (1911–1977), France 1971. An intriguing abstract collage made from sheets of metal in a minimal cubistic style. Althou...
Metal