Raymond Moretti

Raymond Moretti — Figurative Art
Birth: Nice, France

Training: Municipal School of Drawing, Villa Thiole, Nice

Movement: Abstract, Surrealist

Mediums: Painting, Sculpture, Illustration, Lithography, Graphic Design
Artistic Journey

Raymond Moretti was a self-taught artist of Italian origin, born in Nice. From a young age, he developed a passion for drawing and painting. At 16, he entered the Municipal School of Drawing at Villa Thiole in Nice, where he stood out for his talent. In 1947, he created a monumental painting, Moses Breaking the Tablets of the Law, which was offered to the University of Jerusalem.
In the 1960s, he met Jean Cocteau, with whom he collaborated on gouaches and an oil painting on the theme of The Age of Aquarius. He also became acquainted with Pablo Picasso, forming a lasting friendship. This period marked the beginning of a prolific career, punctuated by numerous exhibitions in France and abroad.
Throughout his career, Moretti created posters, illustrations, postage stamps, monumental sculptures, and works for public institutions. Notable projects include the Rashi Memorial in Troyes, a steel sphere engraved with Hebrew signs, and the pendulum in the Les Quatre-Temps shopping center in La Défense. He also designed around thirty stamps for La Poste française, including portraits of personalities such as Django Reinhardt and Georges Brassens.
Major Works

Moses Breaking the Tablets of the Law (1947) – Monumental painting offered to the University of Jerusalem.
Le Bateau Ivre (The Drunken Boat) (1966) – Illustrations of Rimbaud’s poem, published in collaboration with publisher Joseph Pardo.
Le Poème Mécanique (The Mechanical Poem) (1967) – Illustrations of Robert Einbeck’s book, representing the spirit of the mechanical world.
Rashi Memorial (1990) – Monumental carbon steel sculpture engraved with Hebrew signs, inaugurated in Troyes.
Pendulum of Les Quatre-Temps (1990) – Monumental sculpture installed in the La Défense business district.
Postage Stamps (1984–2004) – Series of stamps illustrating historical events and personalities, including the Liberation of France and World War II.
Style and Influences
Fusion of abstraction and figuration, with expressive use of color.
Exploration of historical, political, and social themes.
Influences: Jean Cocteau, Pablo Picasso, Mediterranean artistic traditions.
Quote

“To paint is to tell a story.”