Raphaël Lonné (1910-1989), Untitled, 1971

Raphaël Lonné (1910-1989)
Untitled, 1971
Ink and pencil on paper
Signed “Raphaël Lonné” lower right and dated “May 1971” on the back
Dimensions of the work: 32 x 23.5 cm
Dimensions of the frame: 40 x 30 cm

Self-taught artist from the Landes, Raphaël Lonné was first introduced to drawing in the 1950s during a spiritualism session improvised by his neighbours. This is an opportunity for him to apprehend the artistic qualities that lay dormant in him. He thus creates drawings automatically from which curious silhouettes emerge where fauna and flora intertwine. He places his hand at a corner of the sheet and lets it improvise organic shapes. Raphaël Lonné continues to deepen this gift for drawing outside of any mediumistic context and produces a chimerical and intuitive work that he will qualify as “pictorial poetry”.

Although very early sensitive to poetry and music, nothing destined Raphaël Lonné to drawing. He first exercised small trades for nearly twenty years such as postman or concierge before devoting himself exclusively to his art, strongly encouraged by his relatives. He quickly acquired local fame so that in 1963 Dr. Gaston Ferdière, a poet close to the surrealist milieu, shared his work with Jean Dubuffet. The latter, enthused by the singularity of this lunar artist, maintains a regular correspondence with him and acquires numerous drawings which will join his collection of art brut. Raphaël Lonné is today one of the great names of so-called “spiritual” artists.

The pen and ink drawing we offer illustrates the artist's style. Over time, his creations crossed by fine arabesques have become more and more abstract.