The Portrait of Okoi 1935

Paul Jacoulet made “The Portrait of Okoi” in 1935. It’s got this amazing light touch to it and a real sense of stillness. I can imagine Jacoulet carefully layering the print, each color so precisely placed. The way the blue stripes of Okoi’s kimono flow is just mesmerizing. The colors feel so considered – like the lavender of the collar, the soft pinks of the face, all set against this creamy, textured background. It’s so serene, you know? Look how the lines create these delicate patterns, they have a life of their own. Even the slight tilt of her head feels loaded with unspoken emotion. The attention to detail is so high! This work reminds me of other painters who were just really into quiet observation and also a kind of hyper-awareness of mark-making. You know? Painters are in constant dialogue, remixing ideas, like a big conversation across time. It makes you feel connected to something bigger than yourself.