Conversation printanière

1964

Oil, collage and mixed media on canvas and wood panel

229.5 x 131 x 26.5 cm

Conversation Printanière (Spring Conversation) is surprising because of its composition’s familiarity. Haven't we already seen this scene that looks like a Renaissance painting? A cultured viewer looking beyond Raysse’s Pop Art colours can recognise a well-known work by Cranach, Apollo and Diana. Raysse adds matching elements, such as the foliage extending the frame of the canvas in height, but he radicalises his approach by showing a view of Nice in perspective.

Erasing, covering and enriching the original painting, Raysse gives a very personal interpretation. The evocation of his native city is a strong, recurring symbol in his works, which confirms the assimilation of the original work into his own world.

Part of Raysse's famous series subverting classic works, Conversation Printanière is in the Pinault Collection. It was first exhibited at the "Sequence 1" show in 2007 at the Palazzo Grassi.
Exhibitions