Assis Ou Couche by Paul Raynal

This warm pictorial composition refers directly to the retro urban art tradition. By revisiting representations of femininity across the decades, the artist Raynal Paul establishes a captivating dialogue between interiority and public display. Bearing the title “Assis Ou Couche”, this creation invites exploration of the duality of gazes cast upon female models of the classical era. The piece is distinguished by its nostalgic atmosphere and rich textures.

The right part of the composition presents the captivating face of a brown-haired woman, painted in warm tones of orange and raw sienna. Her expressive eyes and delicate features are highlighted by broad, vigorous brushstrokes. On the left, in striking contrast, stands the silhouette of a retro pin-up in underwear, depicted in negative cream-white on a bright red background. The composition is structured by stenciled typographic inscriptions, notably the mysterious phrase “assis ou couché...” written in dark letters at the bottom of the image. The background of the work alternates between flat areas of saffron yellow and brick red, creating a vibrant visual space.

Raynal Paul’s talent is illustrated in his ability to make the materiality of acrylic paint cohabit with graphic precision. His textural effects and scrapings give the canvas a patina similar to that of an alley wall worn by time. This laborious process testifies to a deep artistic sensitivity.