Louis-Marie Jullien (1904 -- 1982) was a renowned tapestry artist who was frequently commissioned by Aubusson. A book about his work, "Hommage a Louis-Marie Jullien (1904-1982)" was published a year after his death by Centre culturel et artistique Jean-Lurcat. A smaller tapestry of his dating from 1960 recently sold at Christie's for 6,000 Pounds ($10,468 -- see Lot #65 at  http://mailchristies.com/LotFinder/print_sale.aspx?saleid=20190)



This is but one of many remarkable artworks commissioned by German Atlantik Line for the first built-from-scratch postwar German flagship, the TS HAMBURG. Known as the "Space Ship" as much for her distinctive saucer-topped funnel as her remarkably high passenger space ratio, the HAMBURG had an interesting layout with wide central passages connecting her public rooms and accommodation. On the Lounge Deck, the midships main entry hall was flanked on either side by an Aubusson tapestry designed and executed by Louis-Marie Jullien. The port side featured Hambourg I and the starboard side, Hambourg II. Between them, at the end of a passage flanked by shops and the beauty salon, was a melamine panel of a rising sun (or, possibly the earth rising above the moon).



This abstract tapestry is in excellent overall condition with just a few flaws. At some point, there was slight water damage, causing two streaks from the center top to the center bottom. I have "enhanced" the image of the tapestry on the ship to help highlight this (see above).

​

There are also two very slight splits in the weave (none of the tapestry is missing) that can be easily repaired, if desired. However, if this panel were mounted to a solid surface, these would not be noticed. Please also note the creases in the top image are not "permanent" -- the tapestry had been folded just prior to the photos being taken.