Rago Auctions

One of the most important textile artists of the 20th century, Jan Yoors led a culturally and artistically diverse life. Born in Antwerp, Yoors left his liberal and cultured family to live with the Rom at the age of twelve. He remained with the Rom for ten years, forging a deep connection. This led to his involvement with the Allies during World War II and aiding the Rom against persecution and extermination. His work led to two terms of imprisonment, with the second lasting until the end of the war.

After the war, Yoors began his term at London University in the School of African and Oriental studies. It was here that he first began to work at a loom, using knowledge gained from years studying the world’s great weaving traditions rather than any formal training. His early works were largely figurative but later became more abstract as he moved from London to New York and began to gain recognition for his art. Yoors’ tapestries are today located in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and The Smithsonian and have been featured in Vogue, Elle Décor and Architectural Digest. In 2015, Belgium released a postage stamp depicting one of his works to commemorate not only his artistic contribution to his home country, but also his historical contributions both during the war and after.