Last week, the opening of the exhibition “Raymond Moretti. The Man Who Paints” took place. An event that celebrates the work of an artist deeply attached to Nice and reflects a desire to promote culture in the department.
The opening of the exhibition “Raymond Moretti. The Man Who Paints” was held in a setting that was both solemn and warm, with the presence of Charles Ange Ginésy, President of the Alpes-Maritimes Department, and Éric Ciotti, Deputy and President of the Department’s Finance Commission. A significant artistic event that celebrates the work of an artist profoundly connected to Nice, his hometown, and reflects a strong political commitment to promote culture in the department.
“Creation, for me, is freedom”, stated Raymond Moretti. A phrase that particularly resonates within the walls of the Lympia Departmental Cultural Space, a former prison turned into a key artistic venue at the port of Nice.
An artist with Niçoise roots and universal reach
Raymond Moretti (1931-2005), the son of Italian immigrants who fled Mussolini’s fascism, embodies a unique artistic destiny. At just 16 years old, he embarked on a career marked by boldness, curiosity, and remarkable technical mastery. He frequented the Victorine studios, created monumental works like The Monster and the Clock of La Défense, and mingled with major figures such as Pablo Picasso and Jean Cocteau. He was also one of the most sought-after illustrators of his time, even drawing for André Malraux and the watchmaking company Vacheron Constantin.
A tribute rooted in the territory
The opening spotlighted the strong connection between Moretti and Nice, a city that inspired his imagination. From the port to the orange groves, from the sea to the Promenade des Anglais, every nook of Nice is reflected in his painting. Several of his works can be seen today at the Negresco Hotel, a partner of the exhibition, which generously lent pieces from its private collection for the occasion.
“The exhibition Raymond Moretti. The Man Who Paints is a way to perpetuate the legacy of a local artist with universal scope,” emphasized Charles Ange Ginésy. He also recalled the department’s unprecedented investment in culture: 22.6 million euros allocated in 2025, an increase of one million from the previous year.
A place, an artist, an ambition
On display until June 29 at the Lympia Space, the exhibition brings together more than 50 works tracing the journey of an unclassifiable artist. Among the highlight pieces: a 12-meter monumental frieze and rare archives. The exhibition is accompanied by guided tours, participatory workshops, and the screening of the documentary Moretti or the Forgotten Monster in the presence of its director Thibaut Bertrand.
The Lympia Space, with its growing success (55,791 visitors in 2024), continues its mission: to connect heritage and contemporary creation. After Moretti, the venue’s display walls will host an exhibition dedicated to Salvador Dalí, continuing an ambitious program.