Raymond Peynet - "Virgo" Original Etching, Hand-Signed by the Artist

Image size: 52 x 38 cm

Raymond Peynet was the most popular illustrator in 20th-century France, and there are several museums dedicated to him in France and Japan. His works depict the love of lovers, always surrounded by small animals, trees, and flowers, conveying a message of love and peace. His empathy for small animals and plants leads to environmental protection. In Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, a sculpture of Peynet's lovers is placed as a symbol of world peace. This original etching print was produced in France in 1978 as part of a series. It is, of course, new. It is sold out even in France, and only second-hand items appear on the market.

Raymond Peynet's original etching zodiac series exhibited at the Peynet Museum in Antibes City, from left to right: Pisces, Cancer, Sagittarius, Leo, Virgo, Scorpio ⇓

【Work Description】

In Greek mythology, Virgo is said to be the sister of the Greek god Zeus and the goddess of harvest, Demeter. Virgos combine the dreamlike delicacy of a young girl with a realistic side that steadily realizes ideals. They respect social conventions and rules, so they can be strict with those who defy them.

Amidst the trees in the park, a beautiful, pure, and somewhat stern woman, like a nun, stands holding lovers. Given the size of the lovers, this woman's height seems to be about three meters. Perhaps she is not human but a goddess. Between the branches of the trees behind her, a heart-shaped sky, seemingly an otherworldly space, is depicted, with doves flying. The lovers representing love and the doves, symbols of peace, probably represent the goddess's ideals. People in medieval traveler's attire and medieval-style buildings can be glimpsed among the trees, and small animals and flowers also seem to participate in this world of love and peace.

Yasuhiro Takeda, Galerie Adekat

In 1992, Galerie Adekat purchased 5,000 copies from Alexandre Tocard, the nephew of Mr. Mure, Raymond Peynet's publisher (who co-produced Raymond Peynet's prints and had Raymond Peynet sign them himself), and the representative of the French distributor (Éditions des Cercles) of those prints.

Statue of Raymond Peynet's Lovers in front of Karuizawa Peynet Museum ↓

Karuizawa Peynet Museum Pamphlet ↓

Galerie Adekat managed Galerie Vent de France at Karuizawa Prince Hotel for 20 years, from 1995 to 2015. Due to this, they had close ties with the Peynet Museum in Karuizawa and were dispatched by the Karuizawa Peynet Museum to foster exchanges between the Karuizawa Peynet Museum and the Raymond Peynet and Humorous Painters Museum in Antibes, southern France. They continue to maintain contact with the Peynet Museum in Antibes and Raymond Peynet's daughter, Annie Peynet.

Raymond Peynet's world of painting depicts a paradise where small animals and plants coexist happily, centered on the love of lovers. In the 21st century, with its environmental destruction and ongoing wars, Raymond Peynet's paintings of love and peace are considered a message for our time. We hope that by experiencing Raymond Peynet's world surrounded by peace, love, and gentle nature, people will foster a sense of peace and love in their hearts and cherish 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 of Art (Peynet Museum+Valentine Park+Valentine Hotel)

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Peynet's Love and Peace Monument