Premier Amour. Yap, Ouest Carolines 1937

Paul Jacoulet’s ‘Premier Amour’ is a colorful print of a young woman made in Yap, in the West Carolines. I am struck by her hair, such a wild mass of straw-colored locks that almost take on a life of their own. It reminds me of the way Soutine used to paint hair—so unruly and alive. I wonder if Jacoulet felt a similar energy, wrestling with the image, teasing out the tensions between the figure and the ground? It feels like the work of a romantic, in the tradition of Delacroix. Look at the way she is reclining, so sensual and free; there's a sense of intimacy, an invitation to share a private moment. I can imagine Jacoulet, carefully placing each leaf and flower, building up the layers of color, and thinking about the woman's dreams and desires. When we look at each other’s work, it can feel like a conversation over time, as if we are whispering secrets across generations.