Le Pretre De Sendo-ji. Oiwake, Japon 1954

Paul Jacoulet made this print of a priest in Japan. It's got this serene, almost otherworldly vibe, right? I keep thinking about how a print like this comes into being. I mean, each color is a separate block, carefully carved and layered. And the colors! That intense purple against the cool greens, it's a conversation. I can imagine Jacoulet, in his studio, mixing inks, proofing, adjusting, trying to get that exact mood, that balance. Look at the priest’s face, the detail is incredible. You know, when I'm painting, I'm thinking about all the artists who came before me, how they wrestled with color and form. It's an ongoing exchange, and here, Jacoulet is speaking to us across time, inviting us to see the world through his eyes, with a sense of reverence and wonder.