Tribute to Postman Cheval

Having been invited to participate in the Ideal Palace's centenary in 2012, Titouan Lamazou made a series of eight watercolors. This one shows a portrait of Postman Cheval framed by handwritten texts. In shades of brown, the delicate brushstrokes portray a postman aged by his labor. Written amongst the various texts is a quote inscribed in the palace's gallery—"Les Fées de L'Orient Viennent Fraterniser Aved L'Occident" (The Faries of the East Come to Fraternize with the West). This is followed by a note from Titouan Lamazou—Le Facteur Cheval, l'Artiste Orientaliste du Palais de la Nature (Postman Cheval, the Orientalist Artist from the Palace of Nature)—written above the artist's signature and two texts that highlight the postman's interest in Arab civilization. Despite never having traveled—notably as part of his military service that was intended to take place in Algeria but which he never did—Mailmen Cheval was deeply inspired by the countries of Northwest Africa. The colonial era, his reading, and even the postcards he delivered during his long routes all undoubtedly influenced his construction of the palace. Notably, it incorporates the architecture of an Egyptian temple and the depiction of mummies. Demonstrating brotherly love toward all cultures, he built a mosque on the western facade of his monument. In 1905, an Egyptian visitor wrote in Arabic in the postman's golden book, "Some say there is pain in love, when love has days more bitter than a dock leaf (flower of the desert)." The architect inscribed this same phrase at the feet of his palace's three giants. We are able to admire this Arabic calligraphy thanks to Titouan Lamazou's transcription of it within this piece.