Artistic whispers by Délphine Neny
Meilleur Ouvrier de France in decorative painting and Master Artisan Delphine Nény has added her poetic frescoes to the new decor of La Réserve Ramatuelle Hotel, Spa and Villas.
The scent of renewal is in the air here. Nestling on the heights of the Riviera, La Réserve Ramatuelle Hotel, Spa and Villas has treated itself to a new decor. By inviting artist Delphine Nény to paint her frescoes on the walls, Michel Reybier and famous interior designer Jacques Garcia have revived the vision of a South that is authentic yet not at all folklore-inspired. Together, they have immersed themselves in the golden age of decorative arts during the 1950s and 60s, a period marked by the creative audacity of legendary figures such as Jean Cocteau.
While restoring and reinventing decors is a gift in itself, it becomes an even more sublime art when the brush – serving as an extension of the hand with each subtle mood – stirs the imagination. Her technical mastery, combined with her ability to convey deep emotions, has undeniably earned her the recognition of her peers. Delphine Nény was awarded the title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France in decorative painting and that of Master Artisan, as well as being honored by the Fondation Rémy-Cointreau in 2023.
Her works are like narratives, transforming ordinary walls into living canvases that captivate and carry observers beyond their simple contours. Whether in the form of ornamental panels, trompe-l’œil, hand-painted wallpaper, stencils, “Eglomise” reverse glass gilding and painting or inverted paintings, her compositions breathe new life into spaces that are often forgotten, both in France and abroad. It was in Sicily, during the restoration of a flamboyant palace, that Jacques Garcia discovered the artist’s exceptional talent, through the owner of the premises. This encounter marked the beginning of countless collaborations.
In reinterpreting the decor of La Réserve Ramatuelle Hotel, Spa and Villas, Delphine Nény has skillfully captured the essence of Jean Cocteau’s dreamy drawings. An artist who played countless roles including those of poet, painter, illustrator, playwright and filmmaker, Cocteau was famous for his fluid lines and uninterrupted volutes, which are both distinctive and powerful. “I was inspired by this same elegance and expressiveness, akin to the art of calligraphy”, says Delphine Nény.
The lobby is a striking example of this inspiration. “Here, the emphasis has been placed on the backdrop of a limewashed wall, chosen for its raw, torn and subtly patinated appearance.” Far from being insignificant, this aesthetic approach seeks to capture the authenticity of line drawing.
The bedrooms adopt a different angle. There are no textured materials here, but instead light, airy allegories “tattooing” the walls painted in a pretty shade of beige. Southern light will doubtless caress the continuous lines, almost without interruption. As Cocteau liked to say, “insignificant lines that become significant”.
Wandering from one area to another, guests pass through scenes capturing the essence of the Riviera that cultivates its charms. Here and there, La Réserve Ramatuelle Hotel, Spa and Villas tells the story of a tranquil Mediterranean that is also sometimes secretive, the very place from which Cocteau – on the opposite shore – drew inspiration for his drawings. One experiences a sense of at last taking time to live and to contemplate the undulating curves of a panorama bathed in light. It is undoubtedly this same halo that has earned this beautifully perched gem three Michelin keys, the new distinction rewarding the finest hotels. Who knows?
This article is an excerpt from La Réserve Magazine N° 31 by Michel Reybier Hospitality, which you can consult online here.
