Raymond Peynet

Raymond Peynet is a master of poetic illustration, representing 20th-century France, and an artist widely loved both domestically and internationally. Even today, monuments are erected in various places, including the Peynet museums in Antibes, France, and Karuizawa, Japan, and his popularity continues across generations.

Works→

He established his reputation by publishing illustrations in French and British magazines and was active in a wide range of fields, including illustrations for literary works, stage and ballet designs, and decorations for exhibitions. In 1942, inspired by an outdoor bandstand in Valence, France, the image of "The Lovers" was born. When it was published in a magazine, it received a huge response and gained international popularity as the representative "The Lovers" series.

Subsequently, through various developments such as Peynet dolls by a French toy manufacturer and ceramics and tableware by Rosenthal in Germany, he became widely popular among the public and still maintains high popularity. He also produced many artworks such as drawings, paintings, and prints. In Japan, Galerie Adekat introduces and sells his original prints.

It is also known that Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco was an avid collector and is said to have collected Peynet's doll series. Furthermore, when Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Anne of the British Royal Family visited Paris, popular Peynet dolls were reportedly used as symbolic gifts for the 20 arrondissements of Paris. These episodes illustrate that Peynet's "The Lovers" was widely loved as a symbol of French culture.

Moreover, Peynet, alongside contemporaries like Roy Lichtenstein, is being re-evaluated in the context of illustration and comic-style expression expanding into the realm of art. His poetic and universal imagery is again attracting attention as anticipating sensibilities that connect to today's contemporary art.

 

1: Biography

1908 Born in Paris.

1922 Graduated from Ecole des Arts Appliqués in Paris. Aspires to a career in advertising design.

1930 Married Denise Damour (her surname Damour means love in French). Their close marital love directly reflects the world of Peynet's lovers.

1936 Published drawings in the French English newspaper "the Boulevardier."

1942 Inspired by an outdoor bandstand (kiosk) in Valence, France, he drew "Peynet's Lovers," and a serialization of "Peynet's Lovers" began in the magazine "Ric et Rac."

1952 Honorary citizen of Biot.

1952 Awarded the French Temperament Prize (presented by writer Colette).

1953 Won the Grand Prix at the International Comic Festival.

1953 — French toy manufacturer Technigom began manufacturing and selling "Les Poupées de Peynet" (Peynet Dolls). Subsequently, approximately 250 types were created, and over 5 million units were sold, becoming a huge hit product. Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco is also known as an avid collector of Peynet dolls, reportedly collecting all types. Currently, reproductions of Peynet dolls are also manufactured and sold in China.

1958 Peynet dolls, postcards, etc., were exhibited at the Brussels World's Fair.

1970 Awarded the International Oscar.

1974 Feature animated film "Peynet's Love and World Travel" is released.

1976 Honorary citizen of Valence.

1979 Produced 12 etchings of "The Zodiac." Publishers: Robert Mouret, Éditions des Maîtres Contemporains.

1981 Created a mural in Caro (France). (40m long x 8m high)

1981 Won a gold medal at the Nice Book Fair.

1985 In France, a Saint Valentine's Day commemorative stamp featuring Peynet's "The Lovers" was issued. The circulation reached 12 million copies, and for this stamp design, Peynet received the "Grand Prix de l’Art philatélique français."

1985 Published the Raymond Peynet Original Lithograph Lovers Series.

1986 Raymond Peynet Museum (Karuizawa, Japan) opens. Mr. and Mrs. Peynet visited Japan for the opening.

1986 Honorary citizen of Antibes and Bordighera (Italy).

1987 Awarded the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Republic.

1988 The city of Antibes, France, opens the Raymond Peynet and Humorous Painters Museum. The Raymond Peynet Museum opens in Brassac-Les-Mines, Peynet's mother's hometown.

1998 Valentine Park Sakuto completed (multi-purpose park with the theme of love), Valentine Hotel and Peynet Museum (Sakuto Museum) opened simultaneously.

1999 Died at a hospital near Cannes.

 

Exhibitions: France, Italy, Japan, Denmark, Switzerland, USA, Germany, etc.

Recently: South Korea, China

Others: When Queen Elizabeth of England visited Paris, the City of Paris sent Princess Anne 20 Raymond Peynet dolls (Peynet Dolls) as symbols of all 20 arrondissements of Paris.

The outdoor bandstand in Valence was designated a historical monument as "Peynet's Lovers' Bandstand."

The Paris Mint issued a medal engraved with Peynet's portrait.

Rosenthal launched Peynet's ceramics and tableware, and tableware is still on sale.

Muller Jewelers launched Peynet's amulets.

A French manufacturer launched Peynet dolls (Peynetdoru). Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco purchased and collected all types. Currently produced and sold in China.

Published humorous comics

“The Boulevardier” (UK), “Le Rire,” “La Bataille,” “Paysages,” “France-Soir,” “Ici Paris,” “France Dimanche,” “Paris Match,” “Marie France,” “Marie Claire,” “Elle,” “Candide,” “Ric et Rac,” and other local newspapers.

 

Publications: Dozens of illustrated books and art collections have been published in France, Germany, Denmark, England, the Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, and Poland.

Posters: Numerous for films, advertisements, etc.

Mural frescoes: Paris, Saint-Amour, Saint-Valentin, Valence

  

 

 2: レイモン・ペイネの美術館 and Theme Parks

Raymond Peynet is a painter and illustrator representing the 20th century, highly regarded in Europe and America. There is the Raymond Peynet and Humorous Painters Museum in Antibes, France, the Peynet Museum in Brassac, France, the Peynet Museum in Karuizawa, Japan, Peynet's Garden of Love and Memorial Hall in Saint-Valentin, France, Raymond Peynet Memorial Park (Valentine Park) in Mimasaka, Japan, and the Sakuto Museum, which is a Peynet museum. A statue of Peynet's Lovers is also displayed as a monument to love and peace in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

1: Raymond Peynet and Humorous Drawings Museum, Antibes, France

Statue of The Lovers in front of the Peynet Museum↓

　　

Inside the Peynet Museum↓

Annie Peynet, daughter of Raymond Peynet, explains the original lithograph print series "Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter" by Raymond Peynet, currently exhibited in the Raymond Peynet Museum↓

The display panels inside the Peynet Museum contain photos of Raymond Peynet with his fans and collectors, such as Princess Grace of Monaco and Italian actress Sophia Loren.↓

Raymond Peynet's original etching "Zodiac Series" exhibited at the Peynet Museum↓

 

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

 

In Antibes, on the French Riviera, there is the Raymond Peynet and Humorous Painters Museum. It is owned and operated by the city of Antibes, along with the adjacent Picasso Museum, and is an important cultural and tourist resource for Antibes. Antibes, along with Saint-Tropez, Cannes, and Nice, forms an important part of the luxury resort area stretching from the French Riviera to the Italian Riviera. The Côte d'Azur is home to many artists and several famous museums. Nice has museums for Chagall, Matisse, and Dufy, and Cannes, while not having museums, hosts the famous Cannes International Film Festival every year, along with many other international events. And in Antibes, the Peynet and Humorous Painters Museum and the Picasso Museum are built adjacent to the yacht harbor, attracting many tourists. According to the museum director in 2019, due to the existence of Peynet museums in Japan, the proportion of Japanese visitors to the Peynet and Humorous Painters Museum in Antibes was relatively high, but recently, with Peynet dolls being manufactured and sold in China and Peynet's popularity increasing in China, the number of Chinese visitors has increased.

I, Yasuhiro Takeda of Galerie Adekat, was asked by the Karuizawa Peynet Museum to visit the Raymond Peynet and Humorous Painters Museum in Antibes several times in the 2010s as a cultural exchange envoy between the Karuizawa Peynet Museum and the Antibes museum, and exchanged views with the museum director and Peynet's daughter, Annie Peynet.

 

 

2: Karuizawa Peynet Museum　　　　　　　　　　　　　

 There are also Peynet museums in Japan, in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, and Mimasaka, Okayama Prefecture. The Peynet Museum in Karuizawa is located within a cultural theme park called Taliesin. Taliesin consists of the Peynet Museum, the Karuizawa Takahara Library, the Tomiko Asabuki Hall, the English Garden, villas of famous pre-war writers (Takeo Arishima, Michizo Tachihara, Tatsuo Hori, Yaeko Nogami), and the Kuniko Fukazawa Flower Museum. Every summer, flower artist Shogo Kariyazaki holds events in the English Garden. The Peynet Museum uses "Summer House," built by Antonin Raymond, a famous Czech architect who came to Japan with American architect Lloyd, one of the world's three great architects, and was involved in the construction of the Imperial Hotel and Tokyo Woman's Christian University, as the Peynet Museum. The Peynet Museum in Japan is also a tourist resource in Karuizawa, a high-end resort area.

Galerie Adekat operated a gallery of French paintings and prints called Galerie Vent de France at Karuizawa Prince Hotel and related facilities for 20 years from 1995 to 2015. I planned and implemented various events for Karuizawa with Prince Hotel and the town of Karuizawa. Because I was the world's largest collector of Raymond Peynet's prints, spoke French well, and traveled frequently to France, I was asked by the Peynet Museum to undertake a mission of exchange with the Peynet Museum in Antibes.

Karuizawa Peynet Museum Entrance

Statue of The Lovers in front of the Karuizawa Peynet Museum

3: Raymond Peynet's Theme Park, Valentine Park, Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture

In 1988, Sakuto Town (now Mimasaka City) became a sister city with Saint-Valentin, France, and in 1998, Sakuto Valentine Park, a multi-purpose park with the theme of "love," was completed. A statue of Raymond Peynet's Lovers is installed in the center of the park, and the fountain is named the Fountain of Love. The Sakuto Museum within the park houses over 150 works by Raymond Peynet, and a wedding hall inspired by Peynet's Lovers, as well as the Valentine Hotel, are also located within the park. It has been designated as a sacred place for lovers.

Statue of The Lovers at the Fountain of Love in Valentine Park, Mimasaka City, Okayama Prefecture↓

  

4: Peynet Museum in Brassac, France

      There is also a Peynet Museum in Brassac-les-Mines, where Raymond Peynet's mother was born. Raymond Peynet himself stayed there in his childhood, and during World War II, he evacuated to this area with his wife and daughter. In 1942, Peynet visited Valence and found inspiration for his "Lovers" paintings when he saw a kiosk there. Even then, he was living in Brassac as an evacuee.

Exterior of the Peynet Museum in Brassac, France↓

 

Inside the Peynet Museum in Brassac, France↓

 

5: "Garden of Love" and Peynet Memorial Hall in Saint-Valentin, France

The city of Saint-Valentin, France, is considered a sacred place for lovers due to its name. In Japan, February 14th is Valentine's Day, a day for women to express their feelings to men, but in Europe, it is also a day of "love." The origin of Valentine's Day comes from a Christian cleric named "Saint Valentinus." While there are many clerics named Valentinus in history, the name is said to originate from Father Valentinus of the 3rd-century Roman Empire. The following is an episode about his love for lovers: In the 3rd-century Roman Empire, Emperor Claudius prohibited soldiers from marrying to maintain their valor. Father Valentinus, defying the emperor's orders, secretly married young couples. When the emperor found out, Father Valentinus was executed on February 14th. He became known in history as a saint who risked his life to protect the love of young people. From this episode, Saint Valentinus is revered as "the patron saint of love." February 14th, the day he died, became "the day of love." The city of Saint-Valentin, France, became a sacred place for lovers and has a memorial hall for Raymond Peynet, who depicted the love of lovers. The "Garden of Love" also has a kiosk (outdoor bandstand), a symbol of Peynet's lovers. It is a sister city with Mimasaka City, where Japan's "Valentine Park Sakuto," a theme park of love, is located. Valentine's Day on February 14th is a day of "love" not only in France and Japan but all over the world.

Exterior of the Saint-Valentin Peynet Memorial Hall↓

 

Raymond Peynet's painting exhibited in the Saint-Valentin Peynet Memorial Hall↓

 

6: Raymond Peynet's "Monument to Love and Peace" in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park

In 1989, the Sea and Island Exposition was held in Hiroshima, and a statue of The Lovers, "Monument to Love and Peace," supervised by Raymond Peynet, was installed at the venue. After the exhibition, the city of Hiroshima purchased it and installed it in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park as a symbol of love and peace. Even today, Peynet's "Monument to Love and Peace" in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which also houses the Atomic Bomb Dome, continues to send a message of love and peace to people all over the world.

Statue of "Monument to Love and Peace" by Raymond Peynet in Peace Memorial Park

 

 

 

 7: Peynet's Bandstand in Valence

In 1942, when Raymond Peynet visited Valence, he saw the Kiosque de musique (bandstand) in the park and was inspired to draw a musician playing the violin and his lover. That was the moment Peynet's Lovers were born.

The bandstand in 1942, which inspired Raymond Peynet↓

 The current Kiosque de musique de Peynet (outdoor bandstand) in Valence, now Peynet's Bandstand↓

 

 

3: Raymond Peynet's Paintings, Drawings, Original Lithographs, and Etchings

Peynet was an illustrator, so he published illustrations in newspapers and such, but not many original drawings remain. He didn't think of selling original drawings, so he gave them away or they were dispersed. Original lithograph prints were published twice. The first time was in 1985, when Mr. Muret, the president of a printmaking company in Nice, simultaneously published about 35 original lithographs. This was the same year the French government issued a commemorative stamp for Peynet, and Raymond Peynet's original lithographs were produced and released at the same time as the commemorative stamp. Mr. Muret produced the 12 Zodiac series in etching in 1978. All of these works are original works signed by Raymond Peynet and with limited editions. Then, in the 1990s, Mr. Agostini, the son of painter Tony Agostini, produced and released about 10 original lithographs.

Seven years after Peynet's prints were released, in 1992, Mr. Muret, the publisher of Raymond Peynet's original lithographs and etchings, passed away. Through my junior colleague, Alexander Tocard, Mr. Muret's nephew, Galerie Adekat purchased approximately 5,000 original lithographs and etchings by Raymond Peynet, which remained in the warehouse, totaling about 10,000 pieces. The original lithographs and etchings by Raymond Peynet sold by Galerie Adekat were directly purchased from Mrs. Muret, the original publisher, through Mr. Alexander Tocard of Edition des cercles at that time.

 

 Peynet's Painting Commentary

Peynet's Lovers Series

1: "Musician in the Alcove"

Original lithograph, hand-signed by the artist.

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA edition. Produced in 1985.

Image size: 52 x 38 cm. Framed size: 64 x 79 cm.

Commentary: In 1942, Raymond Peynet was inspired when he saw an outdoor bandstand (kiosk) in Valence, France, and drew his first "Peynet's Lovers" illustration, which was published in the magazine Ric et Rac. Peynet continued to draw lovers thereafter. The painting of lovers playing the violin in the outdoor bandstand can be called the origin of Peynet's paintings. While the musician plays the violin inside the kiosk, his beloved knits, and her knitting becomes a musical score. Doves help by holding balls of yarn. Trees and their leaves are depicted around the kiosk. The love of the lovers, the harmony with nature including animals and plants, are depicted in a peaceful tranquility. Galerie Adekat Yasuhiro Takeda

 

2: "Mozart's Concert"

Original lithograph, hand-signed by the artist.

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA edition. Produced in 1985.

Image size: 52 x 3 cm. Framed size: 76 x 61 cm.

 

Commentary: The program for the concert at the Académie de Musique states Mozart's "The Magic Flute." National music academies were established in many European countries, contributing to the promotion of music. The French music academy is now the Paris Opera, but this is the music academy in Raymond Peynet's fairy-tale world. Mozart stayed in Paris twice, had an audience with the king, and composed and premiered the "Paris Symphony." His mother also died in Paris, so the French feel an affinity for Mozart. The French musical preference tends towards Mozart's ornamental and refined music rather than the grand music of Beethoven. "The Magic Flute" is an opera about a prince rescuing a princess and their union, which perfectly fits the image of the lovers in this painting. It is interesting that the opera's program being "The Magic Flute" and the venue being the Paris Music Academy subtly align with historical facts. This work is imbued with a happy atmosphere, depicting Peynet's lovers leaving the venue, blessed by everyone. Galerie Adekat Yasuhiro Takeda

 

3: "Bird Basket"

 Original lithograph, hand-signed by the artist.

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA edition. Produced in 1985.

Image size: 52 x 3 cm. Framed size: 76 x 61 cm.

Commentary: Peynet's lovers face each other in a field. The man is feeding a small bird that has made its home in the woman's chest. The woman appears to be simple and humble. Her basket contains flowers picked from the ground. She must have come to pick these flowers. The color scheme is composed of similar colors: a clear blue sky, green (an intermediate color between blue and yellow), and pink (an intermediate color between blue and red), creating a stable and calm harmony of colors. The light brown clothing gives a subdued impression. In the background, there is a building that looks like a castle, but it's not a castle, but a cluster of small houses where ordinary people live. The small bird living in her chest, does it want to fly to a more glamorous world with her? However, the small bird seems to be happily pecking at what the not-so-wealthy man offers. Even with simplicity, a gentle man provides love in a peaceful daily life and serene nature. One can feel Raymond Peynet's affectionate gaze. In Peynet's world of lovers, there seem to be things more important than money or fame. Galerie Adekat Yasuhiro Takeda

 

 

4: "Arrival of Spring"

Spring, the first of the four-part series of seasons.

Original lithograph, hand-signed by the artist.

Limited edition: 350 copies and EA edition. Produced in 1985.

Image size: 57 x 43 cm. Framed size: 86 x 64 cm.

 

Commentary: Thrushes endlessly circle the man, and primroses have taken over everywhere. Spring has arrived, but she hasn't. The man continues to wait for her. While he waited for a long time, vines intertwined around his body and chair. The harsh winter has ended, and spring has arrived. His waiting paid off, and she finally arrived. Riding on a bird, with her hair flowing in the spring breeze, she arrived on a large bird. He doesn't know of her arrival yet. Where did she come from? Did she secretly slip away from the castle on the hill? The fresh green of early spring is vibrant. It will become a deeper, burning green as summer approaches. Peynet's lovers' spring is almost here. Galerie Adekat Yasuhiro Takeda

 

5: Summer Boating

Summer, the second of the four-part series of seasons.

Original lithograph, hand-signed by the artist.

Limited edition: 350 copies and EA edition. Produced in 1985.

Image size: 57 x 43 cm. Framed size: 86 x 64 cm.

Commentary: Raymond Peynet's lovers seem to be in Venice. The woman whispers, "There's no couple in the world who loves each other as much as us!" The man replies, "No, there's one more. Look in the water!" In the water, their embracing reflection appeared. Beyond the water gate, the tower of Venice's famous St. George's Church can be seen. Europeans have said for centuries, "See Venice and die," moved by its beauty. Thomas Mann, a German novelist active in the early 20th century, titled his novel "Death in Venice," which depicted the feelings of Gustav Mahler, a composer from the late 19th to early 20th century, for a beautiful boy he met in Venice. Birds, squirrels, grasses, and trees watch over them. The modest house above the water gate perfectly suits them. Against the backdrop of Venice, the most beautiful city on water, the most loving couple in the world confirm their love and revel in it on the Venetian sea. Peynet's lovers passionately love in summer Venice. Galerie Adekat Yasuhiro Takeda

 

 6: "Autumn Violin"

Autumn, the third of the four-part series of seasons.

Original lithograph, hand-signed by the artist.

Limited edition: 350 copies and EA edition. Produced in 1985.

Image size: 57 x 43 cm. Framed size: 86 x 64 cm.

Commentary: Raymond Peynet's lovers are sitting on a giant dove, reading poetry and shedding tears. The poem they are reading is "Autumn" by Paul Verlaine, a 19th-century Symbolist poet. The poem speaks of a melancholic feeling upon hearing the sound of an autumn violin, which becomes even more sentimental when combined with the ringing of church bells. It recalls happy days gone by, bringing tears. The trees in the background are shedding their last withered leaves of the year. Angels descended to those trees, playing violins and giving melody to Verlaine's delicate poem. The sorrowful autumn, Verlaine's poetry, and the sound of the violin, the passing season and memories, stir the heart. Even the dove on the lovers' bench has tears in its eyes. The owl, perhaps not as sentimental, merely stares with wide-open eyes. Peynet's lovers' autumn is passing by. Galerie Adekat Yasuhiro Takeda

 

 7: "Snowy Bench"

Winter, the fourth of the four-part series of seasons.

Original lithograph, hand-signed by the artist.

Limited edition: 350 copies and EA edition. Produced in 1985.

Image size: 57 x 43 cm. Framed size: 86 x 64 cm.

 Commentary: Let's listen to the conversation of Raymond Peynet's lovers. Woman = "I want to hold you forever." Man = "Give me your influenza. I'll give you my bronchitis, so let's take the same medicine together!" This is Place Fürstenberg, behind the Saint-Germain-des-Prés church in Paris. A bench is placed in a small space in the bustling city. In summer, it's a popular resting place, but now it's covered in snow, and it continues to snow. Night falls, and the streetlights cast a faint light on the white snow. People hurry home. The darkness of the night and the cold of the snow cannot separate the lovers. You can feel Peynet's warm thoughts watching over the lovers. It might be Raymond Peynet's own youth. Love wins. Galerie Adekat Yasuhiro Takeda

 

8: "Love Cocktail"

Original lithograph, hand-signed by the artist.

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA edition. Produced in 1985.

Image size: 52 x 38 cm. Framed size: 76 x 61 cm.

 

Commentary: Peynet's lovers meet in the forest. In the early summer forest, the man has opened an outdoor bar. The male bartender mixes cocktails, and angels and birds deliver drinks. The order from the charming female customer, wearing a hat made of wildflowers, is a "cocktail based on morning dew with the scent of lily of the valley, mixed with the May sunlight and your tenderness." On the counter, a squirrel has just finished its cocktail. A boy angel is about to fly off to deliver an order to a forest guest. A mysterious bird is vigorously pulling on the hem of the female customer's pink dress, but its intention is unclear. Above the bartender's head, two doves are embracing. At both ends of the screen, a pair of Peynet trees (trees with branches and leaves that frequently appear in Peynet's paintings) are depicted. On the ground, fragrant lilies of the valley sing and dance towards the sky. Feeling the soft breeze of beautiful May throughout the body, breathing deeply the fresh air of the forest, stretching both arms towards the sky and sunlight. From late April to early May, florists in Paris simultaneously line their storefronts with lilies of the valley. Lilies of the valley bring the sunlight of the early summer forest to the streets of Paris. It's a joyful world of Peynet filled with sunlight. Galerie Adekat Yasuhiro Takeda

 

 9: "Our House"

Original lithograph, hand-signed by the artist.

Limited edition of 250 copies and EA edition. Produced in 1985.

Image size: 52 x 38 cm. Framed size: 76 x 61 cm.

Commentary: Peynet's lovers are embracing in a small house at the foot of a hill. It's such a small house that you can't even stand up straight unless you open the roof window. Around the house is a small garden surrounded by a low fence. The garden is home to cats, small birds, butterflies, snails, and even an overturned turtle. Low plants are also planted. On top of the hill, a large palace looms. Inside that palace, people dressed in dazzling clothes must be living a luxurious life. Now, let's listen to the lovers' conversation. Woman: "It's so good we found a wonderful house. It has a garden, and you can see the sky." Poet: "When two people live together, it feels more luxurious than a palace." A peaceful and tranquil life surrounded by nature and small animals, filled with love and trust – what a fulfilling and luxurious life it is. True happiness seems to be here in Raymond Peynet's world. Galerie Adekat Yasuhiro Takeda

 

 

10: "The Little Prince"

Original lithograph, hand-signed by the artist.

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA edition. Produced in 1985.

Image size: 38 x 52 cm. Framed size: 64 x 79 cm.

Commentary: Raymond Peynet's lovers seem to meet even in their dreams. A man who is late for an appointment says, "Sorry I'm late for our dream time, the Milky Way was congested." The Little Prince in Saint-Exupéry's picture book is a boy, but Peynet's Little Prince seems to be a lover. Where did she come from? Which galaxy, which star does she live on? Perhaps Earth? It is said that there are about 200,000 habitable planets in the entire universe. Earth is one in 200,000. Do the inhabitants of the dream world also come from other stars? Beyond her bed, many spires and dome roofs can be seen. Since a building like the Leaning Tower of Pisa is also visible, it seems to be Italy. In the forest where she lives, there are small birds, woodpeckers, pigeons, and ladybugs, and Peynet trees are growing everywhere. The usual companions of Peynet's world are all present in the dream world. The bright blue and sparkling white stardust are impressive. Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

 

 

11:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA, produced in 1985

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

 

Commentary: Peynet's lovers, though poor, live for love. A man is slipping a heart-shaped message under the gap of the front door of a small, old house. Is it a message of courtship? Or is it a poem dedicated to her? She is watching him from the window. Will his courtship be accepted? Where did he meet her? Did he see her working in a shop in town? Have they known each other since childhood? How long has he thought of her? Birds and pigeons perched on his head and back are encouraging him. The trees around the poor house are also watching over them. Cute flowers growing in the garden are also cheering him on. I recall words I heard in Japan more than 50 years ago: "Because I am poor, all I can offer you is the gentle breeze of May and a heart that loves you with all its might. But will you marry me?" This was a line from a movie that depicted the story of people living honestly, loving their families, even in poverty. Even if times change, do important things remain the same? Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

 

12:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA edition, produced in 1985

Image size: 38 x 52 cm, Frame size: 64 x 79 cm

 

Commentary: Peynet's lovers are enjoying a picnic in a park on a hill during the beautiful fresh green season. She seems to be listening intently to the man's whispers, her eyes half-closed in a trance. Feeling the soft sunlight bathing her entire body, and surrounded by her lover's gentle words, set against the backdrop of birdsong, she is enveloped in a blissful atmosphere. When she opens her eyes, she will notice the small flower her lover is offering her. In the background, a woman in a wedding dress, a man in formal attire, and elegantly dressed people are walking by. It seems they are going to or coming from a wedding. This wedding party is also watching the lovers from a distance. Above the canvas, a bright blue sky stretches out, with white clouds floating serenely. It is a blissful day for Raymond Peynet's lovers on a calm and peaceful spring day. Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

 

 

13:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA edition, produced in 1985

Image size: 38 x 52 cm, Frame size: 64 x 79 cm

Commentary: Early summer has arrived in Peynet's world. A woman has opened a bird market in the forest, and a man has come to visit it. Birds of various colors—red, yellow, blue, and white—are being sold. Since the display counter is narrow, the woman of the forest is also showing birds perched on a very attractive perch protruding from her chest. The woman is calling out, "Do you like any birds? We have owls and pigeons too!" but the man seems to be fascinated by the perch on her chest, his gaze fixed on it. The man asks, "I'd like those two small yellow birds, please. Can I buy the perch too?" What will the woman's answer be? The striking red of the orange sun and the woman's suit against the background of the space in the middle of the moss-green foliage of a pair of trees is impressive. The colors of the birds and flowers—red, yellow, and pink—flutter about, giving a rhythmic sense of joy. The bright sky behind the woman adds brightness to the entire painting. Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

 

 

14:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA edition, produced in 1985

Image size: 38 x 52 cm, Frame size: 64 x 79 cm

Commentary: Peynet's lovers are spending a leisurely time on a spring riverside. The man is fishing by the stream. She is knitting nearby. There is no creel nearby for the fish they catch. Many small birds are perched on the fishing rod. The birds seem to be cheering him on. Some birds are watching in the water. A peaceful day for the lovers slowly passes by the spring waterside. Small flowers bloom around the lovers, watching over them. In 1974, an animated film titled "Peynet's World Tour of Love" was co-produced by France and Italy, and NTT edited this animated film into a TV commercial. In that video, the birds perched on the fishing rod flew away one after another. I yearn for a relaxed day spent by the quiet waterside, casting a fishing line. Especially a happy day with a lovely lover. Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

 

 

15:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA edition, produced in 1985

Image size: 47 x 64 cm, Frame size: 72 x 791 cm

Commentary: Peynet's lovers face each other in late autumn. The leaves of the deciduous trees have fallen, leaving only a few brown ones. In the middle of the park, there is an unmanned outdoor bandstand (kiosk), and empty chairs are scattered about. Beyond the kiosk, the trees in the park are beautifully colored in golden hues. The birds, squirrels, and turtles around the lovers are also tinged with autumn colors. In the deserted park, the man is sending a passionate, winged love message with a heart mark to the woman. She is spreading her arms to receive the man's heart. The heart the man throws has wings. Will it fly away if she doesn't catch it firmly? Love is intense and passionate, but it may also be fickle, like the changing seasons. If she doesn't firmly accept it and nurture it with love, winter will eventually come and engulf everything. Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

 

 

16:

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA, produced in 1985

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

Commentary: Peynet's lovers have arrived at a beachfront hotel for their honeymoon. From the window, they can see yachts floating on the sea and hills on the opposite shore. Inside the room, a crescent moon and an angel, accompanied by stars and birds, descend to bless the couple. The man embraces his beloved. She has wavy blonde hair and wide, bright eyes. Her expression is innocent and adorable. She appears to have been raised in prosperity. The man also shows no signs of poverty. Both give off the impression of well-to-do young people on their honeymoon at a seaside resort, making them a wealthy couple in Raymond Peynet's world of companions. Whether poor or wealthy, love and happiness visit equally. Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

 

 17:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA, produced in 1985

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

Commentary: A lover fell from the sky onto a small house on a hill. Upon seeing her, the lover said, "I realized I can't live without you." His three suitcases and an umbrella seem to be all his belongings. They fit perfectly in this small house. In the sky where the lover flew, countless heart marks remain like jet trails. All the surrounding trees are covered in new green leaves, and the tulips in the garden are in bloom. The companions on the hill, such as small wildflowers, butterflies, owls, birds, rabbits, and snails on their backs, seem to be enjoying the soft spring light. A new life for Peynet's lovers begins in this small house. Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

 

18:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA, produced in 1985

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

  

Commentary: Raymond Peynet's world also exists in heaven. The name of this hotel is written as "Grand Hotel du Ciel et de la petite Ourse," which literally translates to "Grand Hotel of the Sky and Ursa Minor." Angels and doves welcome the winged lovers. The angel asks the lovers, "One night or long-term?" Neither Christianity nor Greek mythology has a legend of Ursa Minor being heaven, so this is a story from Peynet's world. Since the lovers have wings, they seem to have become angels. They must have lived a good life, simple and never doing anything bad, not hating, but loving, and not lying. If they live in this hotel, will they become true angels with a halo of light above their heads, like the angel who welcomed them? This work generally has a calm blue-grey tone, but the pale skin tone around the angels and the orange stardust are the only warm colors. The violet of the woman's skirt is also striking. I'd like to see inside this hotel. It must be a fun hotel. Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

  

19:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA, produced in 1985

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

Commentary: Raymond Peynet's comment on this painting is, "The weather forecast says the rain of the weeping willows will envelop the two." This park seems to be a park filled with weeping willows. Weeping willows line up far into the distance. Iron chairs, like those found in any park in France, are depicted along the park path. Under the willow in the foreground, a couple is snuggled together. An angel holds a black umbrella over them. Even under that umbrella, birds are taking shelter from the rain on their arms, shoulders, and at their feet. Other people in the willows are also holding black umbrellas. In the Peynet world of weeping willows, lovers and birds are enjoying taking shelter from the rain. Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

  

20:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA, produced in 1985

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

Commentary: Raymond Peynet's lovers are getting married. The deep forest is covered with Peynet trees (a type of tree that appears in Peynet's paintings, not an actual species of tree). An angel blesses the artist-like man and the bride at their wedding. Around them, small birds, doves, squirrels, and even snails are participating in their ceremony of love. Another couple can be seen beyond the forest. This seems to be the forest wedding venue for lovers. May this forest path be the path to happiness for all couples. Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

 

21:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 600 copies and EA, produced in 1985

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

Commentary: Peynet's lovers seem to be meeting in the park. The artist-like man, sitting on a park bench, has grown tired of waiting for her and has started fortune-telling with angel feathers. He repeatedly predicts "she will come" or "she won't come," and "she loves me" or "she doesn't love me," so the space under the chair is filled with angel feathers. The first angel has lost almost all its feathers and is crying. The second angel also has considerably fewer feathers. Nevertheless, the angels seem to be blessing the lovers. When angel feathers are plucked, new ones grow back. The poet is fortune-telling while helping the angels grow new feathers. Just as new, clean wool grows after sheep are shorn, angel feathers also regrow. In a few months, he will meet an angel with new feathers. She, dressed in stylish pink, is already on her way. Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

 

22:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 350 copies and EA edition, produced in 1985

Image size: 57 x 43 cm, Frame size: 86 x 64 cm

Commentary: Lovers are seated on a swing covered with leaves, suspended from a giant fish airship with sleepy eyes. The woman is on the man's lap, holding the swing with one hand. The man is embracing the woman's waist. Above and below the fish airship, strange birds with fish-like wings are flying. They are too plump to be flying fish. Since they are flying over the sea, they might be a mutated species of flying fish. Medieval or early modern sailing ships float on the sea, and old buildings are depicted on the island. Overall, it's a calm fairy-tale world depicted with a dark blue as the base color. Galerie Adduca Takeda

 

23:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA, produced in 1985

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

Commentary: Lovers sitting on a park bench are showing each other their hearts. Are they confiding in each other? Are they opening the windows of their hearts to let in fresh air? If our hearts also had such convenient windows, there would be no misunderstandings between lovers. A sunken heart, a tired heart, also needs to open its windows from time to time to let in clean air. Behind the two, there is a symmetrical tree, and small trees on both sides create a symmetrical composition. In the background on the right, there is a kiosk, a bandstand symbolizing Peynet's lovers, where a male musician is sadly playing the violin alone. Birds and small wildflowers are blessing the lovers who bravely opened the windows of their hearts. Galerie Adduca Takeda Yasuhiro

 

24:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA, produced in 1985

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

Commentary: A newlywed couple faces each other in their bedroom as night falls after their wedding. The man is holding an open book. The title of the book is "Education sentimentale." In Japanese, this translates to "Sentimental Education." This is the title of a novel by the 19th-century French writer Gustave Flaubert. It is a memoir-like story of a country youth's romantic affairs in the mid-19th century, not exactly a pure-minded philosophy. French people prefer sophisticated elegance over purity. People are refined through various experiences, but elegance may be refined by many loves. On the bed, birds, a dog, and angels are also present, bringing bouquets to bless Peynet's lovers. Outside the window, a dense cluster of old buildings with dome roofs can be seen. Perhaps it's a castle on the Loire River, not far from Paris, since it's built on flat land. In any case, the angels are also blessing them. May happiness be upon these mysterious lovers. Galerie Adduca Takeda Yasuhiro

 

25:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA, produced in 1985

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

 

Commentary: Lovers stand before a slightly aged door. The door is symmetrical, with a heart and Art Deco-style ornamentation at the top center. On either side of the door are identical circular pillars. Before each pillar, a similarly shaped potted plant is placed, creating a symmetrical composition. A woman on the left and a man on the right are depicted, corresponding to this symmetrical composition. The woman's dress has an opening in the center, from which a voluminous breast protrudes. The nipple is holding a black umbrella. On closer inspection, her breast is contained within a small house-like box. The man, with his hat removed, respectfully observes the woman's breast. In French, when praising something, one says "Bravo." It means "splendid." When moved at a concert, for example, people enthusiastically shout "Bravo." Another expression is "chapeau" (hat). Chapeau means hat. It's a gesture of respect, and in Japanese, "datsubo" (taking off one's hat) means splendid or I'm impressed. The man is likely showing respect for the woman's beauty and the breast, a symbol of female charm. Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

 

26:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA, produced in 1985

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

 

Commentary: The lovers are standing by the bed. The man is embracing the woman, his hand around her waist. Their hearts, with wings, have flown out of their bodies ahead of them and are beckoning on the bed. A pair of doves are nestled together on the pillow. A pair of angels are also guiding them by the wall above the bed. The woman is dressed rather formally and appears nervous. The man has a slightly suspicious air, more like a lover than a partner. Perhaps they are lovers with some complex circumstances. Outside the window, a small castle can be seen. Since it's built on flat land, it might be a castle along the Loire River, not too far from Paris. In any case, the angels are also blessing them. May happiness be upon these mysterious lovers. Galerie Adduca Takeda Yasuhiro

 

27:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA, produced in 1985

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

 

Commentary: A naked blonde woman is walking in a small room with an open window. The man, still dressed, is saying something. Just outside the window, a tree that always appears in Peynet's paintings spreads its branches wide. Among the leaves of the branches, small birds gather on the branches and look into the room. Some birds are flying quickly. The woman's breasts and bottom are sexy and attractive. Perhaps she is attractive even to birds. So, what is the relationship between this beautiful nude woman and the man standing fully clothed? Since French people dislike formality and have no strong resistance to being seen nude, she might be an ordinary office worker. It might be fun to imagine various scenarios and create a story for this painting. Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

 

28:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 350 copies and EA edition, produced in 1985

Image size: 57 x 43 cm, Frame size: 86 x 64 cm

Commentary: In a corner of a park-like green space with trees, there is a sheltered spot from wind and rain, where a pair of rattan chairs are placed. The painting has a symmetrical composition around the center, a composition often used by Peynet. The tree-covered screen and the trees in the background are also symmetrical. The man and woman, and the rattan chairs they sit on, also form a symmetrical pair. The lovers, in the deep green of early summer, seem to be engaged in conversation. The woman is speaking, and the man is looking down, listening to her. Birds of various colors are perched on the trees of the screen. A squirrel has come down onto her rattan chair and is listening to her story. Small wildflowers with light blue blossoms are blooming on the ground. It is a peaceful scene under a pleasant, sunny summer sky. The woman's breast has been removed and the man is holding it carefully. New shoots are growing from the woman's breast that the man is holding. Has he been holding it for a very long time? Galerie Adduca Takeda Yasuhiro

 

29:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA, produced in 1985

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

Commentary: The happy wedding, celebrated by relatives and friends, has ended, and their private time has arrived. Notebooks and gloves are scattered around the room. She is still wearing her wedding dress and veil. Finally, the time has come to relax, free from tension. The woman seems to be saying something, solicitous of her husband. The man, perhaps tired, looks a little somber, but still has his arm around her waist. On the pillows of the bed, two angels and two doves are blessing them. Their new life begins in this seemingly not-so-luxurious room. Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

 

30:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA, produced in 1985

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

Commentary: A fierce storm has arrived. The lovers' small old house seems to have been blown away by the storm and caught in a tree. The windowpanes are broken, and the door is off its hinges. The roof is torn with a hole, and the skylight is broken. The lovers stand on a tiny balcony, terrified by the raging storm. Around them, a girl with an umbrella is flying away on the wind. The roofs of neighboring houses are also broken or blown off. The wind seems to be blowing from left to right, and the trees and grass are heavily distorted to the left. A cat, startled, is also being blown by the wind. Even chairs and underwear are swirling in the wind. Although the lovers on the balcony are terrified, the man is firmly holding and supporting the woman. A storm is a time of trial; their love will grow stronger. Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

 

31:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA, produced in 1985

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

Commentary: The party is full of fervor. Men and women gathered on the clouds are engrossed in acts of love. Their faces are flushed pink, and their eyes are entranced, feeling the utmost pleasure. Men place their hands on women's chests, men reach for women's bottoms, couples passionately embrace, and two kiss each other. It is truly a paradise for lovers. Countless hearts flutter around the lovers. A couple of doves are also embracing. The angels seem to be screaming, overwhelmed by the heat. Below the clouds is an ancient city with old architectural structures, and dome roofs and spires can be seen. Western culture seems to value the word "passion." Galerie Adduca Takeda Yasuhiro

 

32:

Original lithograph, signed by the artist

Limited edition: 250 copies and EA, produced in 1985

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

Commentary: The lovers are sitting on a sofa indoors. The woman is wearing fishnet stockings, making her look sexy. Her soft-looking breast is exposed from her dress. The man is inserting a heart between her breasts. Both seem passionate. Their faces are flushed pink. That pink resonates beautifully with the pink stripes of the sofa. The flowers in the four corners of the painting of the kiosk musician decorating the wall, and the heart of the kiosk, all resonate with the same pink. It's a symmetrical composition that Peynet favors. The ornamental plants on the left and right, the sofa, and the kiosk painting are all symmetrical, and their center lines align with the center line of this painting. The lovers also form a symmetrical composition. Galerie Adduca Takeda Yasuhiro

 

Peynet's 12 Zodiac Signs Series

1:

Color original etching and monochrome etching, signed by the artist

250 copies and EA, produced in 1978

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

Raymond Peynet Color version ↓

Raymond Peynet Monochrome version ↓

 

Commentary: In Greek mythology, it is said that Zeus sent a golden flying ram to save a prince who was about to be killed by his stepmother. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, so people born under Aries are said to exude fresh energy. They possess strong initiative and a challenging spirit, are competitive, and have a strong mental fortitude to achieve things. However, because they value their intuition and insist on their own way, they may lack cooperativeness and tend to be easily excited and easily cooled down.

A large ram's head is depicted in the center of the screen, and the body parts show the sea and old sailing ships moving on the sea. The lower right shows buildings and gondolas symbolizing Venice. In the lower left of the screen, a man is making a gesture of courtship to a woman standing in front of a green tree. Venice was a center of trade during the Renaissance. From here, they must have embarked on dangerous sea voyages. It is a fantastic painting that connects to the challenging spirit of Aries. Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

 

 2:

Color original etching & monochrome original etching, signed by the artist, 250 copies and EA, produced in 1978

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

Commentary: In Greek mythology, it is said that the Greek god Zeus transformed into a bull and abducted Europa, the daughter of the Phoenician king, and that bull is said to be the constellation Taurus. People born under Taurus are said to have a calm and peaceful personality with good cooperativeness, combined with a strong will and perseverance. They are also blessed with sensitivity and a fondness for owning beautiful things, which is why they are said to have strong materialistic desires.

A carousel is prominently depicted in the center, with a bull carrying lovers in the middle of the carousel. It's not a carousel but a revolving bull. The roof is supported by a pair of leafless trees. Small birds are perched on the trees, seemingly blessing the lovers. A human face, like the sun or moon, is depicted in the center of the roof, and below it, the world seems to be depicted, including Venetian buildings, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, Greek temples, mountains, and trees. The lovers will travel around the world on the bull. On top of the roof, a bull in a suit stands, waving a golden flag. Is he the tour guide for the lovers' world trip? Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

 

 3:

Color original etching & monochrome original etching, signed by the artist, 250 copies and EA, produced in 1978

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

 

Commentary: In Greek mythology, it is said that Zeus, the Greek god, made Castor and Pollux, his good-natured twin children, into the constellation Gemini so they could always be together. People born under Gemini are said to have excellent communication skills, strong curiosity and expressiveness, and a proactive nature. They possess diverse expressive abilities, such as in art and interesting expressions, but they also tend to be easily bored and restless.

In the square between a pair of slender, small two-story houses, a woman stands, and twin men on both sides offer her hearts, courting her. Both houses appear small and poor. A towel is drying on a clothesline stretched between the two houses, and a cat, holding an umbrella, balances on the line, watched by a small bird. Dome roofs and spires can be seen between the houses. This may be in an old city. The moon is out in the sky, casting a soft light. This gentle light might be just right for this modest scene of courtship by the twins. Galerie Adduca Yasuhiro Takeda

 

 

4:

Color original etching & monochrome original etching, signed by the artist, 250 copies and EA, produced in 1978

Image size: 52 x 38 cm, Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

Explanation: In Greek mythology, the monstrous crab that was crushed by the hero Hercules is said to have become the constellation Cancer. People born under Cancer are affectionate and value family and friends, so they tend to be considerate of others without showing their deep emotions. On the other hand, they tend to react coolly to people they don't get along with.

A giant crab with a heart-shaped shell fills the entire picture. Inside the heart-shaped shell, there is a mountain of buildings with spires and dome roofs, reminiscent of the medieval world, and below it, the sea features old sailing ships, islands, and a volcanic island emitting smoke. In the sky, a hot air balloon and clouds drift comfortably. Looking closely, the outer edge of the shell that surrounds this world is a green wilderness with countless plants and trees. At the feet below the shell, a couple stands, and the man is wooing the woman with a flower of love from which hearts hang. The crab's legs are decorated with flowers and leaves like tinsel. In the upper right of the picture, the moon is depicted, and in the upper left, the sun, watching over the world and the lovers. Adékat Gallery, Yasuhiro Takeda

 

 

 5: (July 23 - August 22)

Color original etching & monochrome original etching, signed by the artist, 250 copies and EA, produced in 1978

Image size: 52 x 38 cm; Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

 

Explanation: In Greek mythology, Leo is said to be the man-eating lion subdued by the hero Hercules. People born under Leo are powerful and brilliant like a lion, have high pride, and perform well when they are in the spotlight. They have a strong sense of justice and are reliable, but it seems they can also become self-centered when their pride is hurt.

The face of a lion and its mane are depicted across the entire canvas. The overwhelming presence of the king of lions is powerfully expressed. Below the face of this king of lions, a world is depicted. Several islands, covered with medieval buildings, are symbolically shown, and medieval sailing ships are also depicted, suggesting it is the sea, but since the islands are covered with clouds, it also appears to be a sky city. The sailing ships might also be airships. Above the clouds or on a cloud-like island, near the lower part of the lion's mane, lovers are embracing and sharing a passionate hug. They must feel reassured under the watchful eye of the king. Adékat Gallery, Yasuhiro Takeda

 

 

6: (August 23 - September 22)

Color original etching & monochrome original etching

Signed by the artist, 250 copies and EA, produced in 1978

Image size: 52 x 38 cm; Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

Explanation: In Greek mythology, Virgo is said to be the sister of the Greek god Zeus and the goddess of harvest, Demeter. People born under Virgo possess both a dreamy, delicate, and idealistic nature, as well as a practical side that steadily realizes their ideals. They value social norms and rules, so they seem to be strict with those who go against them.

Amidst the trees in a park, a beautiful, pure, and slightly stern-looking woman, resembling a nun, stands holding lovers. Judging by the size of the lovers, she must be about three meters tall. Perhaps she is not human but a goddess. Between the branches of the trees behind her, a heart-shaped sky, seemingly an alternate dimension, is depicted, with doves flying. The lovers representing love and the doves symbolizing peace probably represent the goddess's ideals. People in medieval traveler's attire and medieval-style buildings can be glimpsed between the trees, and small animals and flowers also seem to be participating in this world of love and peace. Adékat Gallery, Yasuhiro Takeda

 

7: (October 24 - November 22)

 

Explanation: In Greek mythology, the goddess Gaia, enraged by the arrogant giant Orion, had a scorpion kill Orion. That scorpion is said to have become the constellation Scorpio. People born under Scorpio are modest and do not show their emotions, but they are deeply affectionate, excellent in concentration, persistence, and insight, and devoted to those they trust, but they are also jealous and aggressive towards adversaries.

A giant scorpion with large eyes raises its tail to the sky, ready for battle. On its coiled tail, lovers sit closely together. The woman looks at the man with a passionate expression and touches his body, typical of an affectionate Scorpio woman. The ground where the scorpion lies appears to be sandy, but exposed jagged rocks are also visible. The distant landscape also features islands surrounded by jagged rocks, with castles and spires built on them. It seems to be a sea and islands visible from the sandy beach where the scorpion is. A yellow sun or moon is depicted in the sky, blessing the lovers along with small animals like birds and flowers. Adékat Gallery, Yasuhiro Takeda

 

 

8: (November 23 - December 21)

Color original etching & monochrome original etching, signed by the artist, 250 copies and EA, produced in 1978

Image size: 52 x 38 cm; Frame size: 76 x 61 cm 

 

　In Greek mythology, Sagittarius is said to be the archer Chiron, a centaur (half human, half horse) known for his archery skills. People born under Sagittarius have a strong spirit of adventure and inquiry, think deeply, are not bound by conventional ideas, and act freely and energetically. They are quick to fall in and out of love, so they tend to change partners frequently, making them seem like "love hunters," and caution is advised.

　From the center of the bottom of the screen, a large tree, appearing to be over a hundred years old, extends upwards. The large tree branches out into several boughs, which spread like vines with leaves, forming a large circle. Inside this circle enclosed by branches and leaves, numerous buildings, seemingly from medieval and ancient times, are densely packed. There appear to be structures resembling the Roman Colosseum and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. In front of the large tree, a man who is half-human and half-horse is depicted with a woman carrying a small package. He is aiming an arrow to capture the woman's heart, but the woman seems to be keeping her distance, perhaps wary of his fickle nature. The package in her hand might contain a secret weapon to counter him.

9: (December 22 - January 19)

Color original etching & monochrome original etching, signed by the artist, 250 copies and EA, produced in 1978

Image size: 52 x 38 cm; Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

 

Explanation: In Greek mythology, it is said that when the pastoral god Pan was pursued by a monster and jumped into a river, he tried to transform into a fish, but only his tail became a fish. Zeus, seeing Pan, placed him in the heavens as Capricorn. People born under Capricorn are said to have a serious and realistic personality, taking on everything with patience and possessing a strong will to see things through to the end.

In mythology, Capricorn's lower body turned into a fish, but in Peynet's Capricorn, it is a conch shell floating in the air. Inside this conch shell, lovers are embracing and enjoying what seems to be an aerial stroll. A Cupid, who presumably brought these lovers together, holds an umbrella over them. This goat and the lovers are quite high up, with stars raining down from above, and the moon and earthly cities visible far below. The woman clings tightly to the man. Is it out of love for him, or is she afraid of falling from the conch-shell airship? Perhaps the woman entrusts herself to the reliable Capricorn man, feeling secure. Adékat Gallery, Yasuhiro Takeda

  

10: (January 20 - February 18)

Color original etching & monochrome original etching, signed by the artist, 250 copies and EA, produced in 1978

Image size: 52 x 38 cm; Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

 

 Explanation: In Greek mythology, it is said that the beautiful boy Ganymede, abducted by the Greek god Zeus to be his cupbearer, became a constellation. People born under Aquarius have original and artistic sensibilities, so they tend to march to the beat of their own drum and show little interest in their surroundings, appearing cool. However, they are actually universalists who are kind to everyone. They dislike constraints and act freely, which often leads to being misunderstood by others.

From the window on the upper floor, a man tilts a water jar, scattering numerous hearts from it. The window on the lower floor is also open, and a woman gazes dreamily at the shower of hearts. Birds pull at the chest part of her dress from both sides with their beaks, exposing her attractive bust. Another bird, perched on the window grille, along with the other birds, is captivated by the woman's beauty. Many clouds drift around these windows and between them. These upper and lower windows seem to be floating in the air. The flowers on the outside shutters also appear to be floating in the air near the shutters, rather than being attached to them. For artistic Aquarians who love freedom, living in the air might be more comfortable than in earthly buildings. Adékat Gallery, Yasuhiro Takeda

  

11: (February 19 - March 20)

Original etching, signed by the artist

250 copies and EA, produced in 1978

Image size: 52 x 38 cm; Frame size: 76 x 61 cm

 

Explanation: In Greek mythology, Pisces is said to be the two fish, tied together by a string, representing Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, and her son Eros. When attacked by a monster at a party on the Nile River, they tied themselves together with a string to avoid being separated. People born under Pisces possess a romantic sensibility and a tolerant spirit, caring gently for others and valuing harmony, but they can be easily influenced by others and may appear indecisive. This gentleness can also be a source of instability.

In legend, it's a mother and son, but in this picture, they are depicted as lovers who are half-fish. Even the angel holding an umbrella over the lovers has transformed into a half-fish. A large sailing ship is depicted, but it seems to be at the bottom of the sea, with fish, shells, starfish, sea snakes, and seahorses appearing below and around the ship. However, the half-fish lovers seem to be floating in the air, with the sun depicted behind them. In the distance, a water city is depicted, with architectural structures like St. Mark's Basilica and the spires of the Church of San Giorgio in Venice, along with the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The artist offers his hand in courtship, but the woman, with downcast eyes, seems undecided. Adékat Gallery, Yasuhiro Takeda

 

Links

Antibes Peynet Museum　

Brassac Peynet Museum　

Karuizawa Peynet Museum

Sakuto Art Museum (Peynet Museum)　

Valentine Park (Sacred Place for Lovers)

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Peynet Monument of Love and Peace

Blog: Raymond Peynet Love and Peace

Raymond Peynet Collection

Page Top