Raymond Peynet "Gemini" Original Etching, Black & White, Hand-signed by the Artist

Raymond Peynet was the most popular illustrator in 20th century France, with several museums in France and Japan. His works depict the love between lovers, always surrounded by small animals, trees, and flowers. Peynet's art conveys messages of love and peace, and his empathy for small animals and plants translates into environmental protection. In Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a sculpture of Peynet's lovers stands as a symbol of world peace. This original etching was produced in a series in France in 1978. Of course, it is brand new. It is sold out even in France, and only second-hand items appear on the market. Please refer to the following website for information on Peynet's museums.

Raymond Peynet's original etching "Zodiac Series" displayed at the Peynet Museum in Antibes, from left to right: Pisces, Cancer, Sagittarius, Leo, Virgo, Scorpio ↓

Raymond Peynet's daughter, Annie Peynet, pointing to Raymond Peynet's original lithograph displayed at the Peynet Museum in Antibes ↓

【Work Description】

 In Greek mythology, it is said that Zeus, the Greek god, turned his affectionate twin children, Castor and Pollux, into the constellation Gemini so that they could always be together. People born under the sign of Gemini are said to have excellent communication skills, curiosity, expressiveness, and initiative. They possess diverse expressive abilities in art and interesting forms of expression, but they also tend to be easily bored and restless.

In a square between a pair of narrow, small two-story houses, a woman stands, and the two twin men on either side present hearts to her, courting her. Both houses appear small and poor. Towels are hung on a clothesline stretched between the two houses, and a cat balances on the line with an umbrella, watched by a small bird. A domed roof and a spire are visible between the houses. This might be in an old city. The moon is out, casting a soft light. This might be just the right brightness for this simple courtship scene of the twins.

Yasuhide Takeda, Galerie Adekat

Around 1992, 【Galerie Adekat】 purchased 5,000 copies from Mr. Alexandre Tocart, the nephew of Mr. Muré (Raymond Peynet's publisher, who produced Raymond Peynet's prints in collaboration with Raymond Peynet, and Raymond Peynet signed them in his own hand) and the representative of the French distributor (Éditions des Cercles) of those prints.

Statue of Raymond Peynet's lovers in front of the Karuizawa Peynet Museum ↓

Pamphlet of Karuizawa Peynet Museum ↓

 Galerie Adekat operated "Gallery Vent de France" at Karuizawa Prince Hotel for 20 years from 1995 to 2015, maintaining a close relationship with the Peynet Museum in Karuizawa. To promote exchange between the Karuizawa Peynet Museum and the Raymond Peynet and Humorous Painters Museum in Antibes, Southern France, they were dispatched by the Karuizawa Peynet Museum and continue to foster connections with the Antibes Peynet Museum and Raymond Peynet's daughter, Annie Peynet.

Raymond Peynet's world of painting depicts a paradise where small animals and plants happily coexist, centered around the love of lovers. In the 21st century, a time of environmental destruction and ongoing wars, Raymond Peynet's paintings of love and peace are considered a message to the modern world. We hope that by experiencing Raymond Peynet's world of peace, love, and gentle nature, people will foster a sense of peace and love in their hearts, and appreciate nature, animals, and plants as fellow inhabitants of Earth.

【Raymond Peynet Museum Links】

Raymond Peynet Site

Karuizawa Peynet Museum 

Antibes Peynet Museum Interview 

Antibes Peynet Museum 

Brassac Peynet Museum 

Sakuto Museum (Peynet Museum+Valentine Park+Valentine Hotel)

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Peynet Monument of Love and Peace