The filmmaker, portrait of Jean Samouillan
huile sur toile, 115×90, Coll. Particulière
Commissioning is a perilous exercise since it requires pleasing the client while continuing one’s path as a painter. The portrait, obviously, raises the question of resemblance. A word that has been feared since photography existed. Hyper-realism, which trails behind the photo, generally makes dead paintings. Resemblance without life is nothing. I hope I have captured it. Pépita, the dog, looks at us with one eye, a look that the photo of the painting cannot capture.