The secret by Raquel Reis
Explore Mondoir Studio
Medium: Oil on Arches paper
Dimensions: 42 x 29 cm
Year: 2026
Price: $720.00 USD
Status: available
In creating "The Secret," I was captivated by the silent, yet powerful, exchange between two figures caught in a moment of intimacy. This painting delves into the complex dance of communication, where words are unspoken but emotions are palpable. The figures are intertwined with fragmented forms and bold outlines, embodying both connection and concealment. One figure leans in, whispering something that seems to linger in the air, while the other responds with a subtle, enigmatic smile. I chose vivid greens, soft pinks, and deep shadows to evoke the emotional depth and psychological intrigue of the scene. These contrasting colors, along with layered brushwork and overlapping perspectives, aim to reflect the multifaceted nature of human interaction. Each brushstroke is a layer of hidden meaning, suggesting that what we see is only the surface. I hope "The Secret" invites you to ponder the nature of this exchange. Is it a moment of trust, a confession, or perhaps a deception? The ambiguity is intentional, encouraging you to bring your own interpretation and emotions to the narrative.
Why collect this work?
Two faces are compressed into a near-whisper, while an orange contour wanders across the larger head like a barrier or snare. The Secret turns private communication into a scene of obstructed access: closeness is visible, but meaning remains withheld.
- Reis describes her practice as reconstructing experience through colour, gesture and invented structure rather than portraying individuals. Here, that aim is legible in the displaced features and sharply contrasting faces, though their narrative remains unresolved.
- In the photograph, the narrow profile touches the green figure’s cheek, yet their eyes point in different directions. The bodily proximity suggests disclosure, while the divided gazes complicate any simple reading of mutual trust.
- The catalogue identifies oil on Arches paper. Broad colour fields coexist with forceful outlines and short directional marks, so the image shifts between painted volume and graphic interruption.
- Encountering this painting foregrounds an ethical question about looking: the observer can witness intimacy but cannot possess its content. Its compact 42 by 29 cm format concentrates that tension within a tightly bounded scene.
About the Artist
Raquel Reis
Raquel Reis is an artist on Mondoir Studio. Artistic discipline: painting. Based in Madrid, ES.
Nationality: Brazilian
My work is rooted in sensation, perception, and gesture.
