Raffy the Persian

Biography of Raffy the Persian

Jean Albert Raffy, born April 28, 1920 in Montmartre and died September 16, 2008 in Saint-Aygulf, is a French painter, watercolorist, designer, pastellist and sculptor of Iranian origin. Signing his works under the name Raffy the Persian in homage to his Persian ancestry, he marked the world of art with his unique style at the crossroads of Eastern and Western influences.
Coming from a bicultural family, Raffy grew up in an environment where his two cultural heritages were mixed. After starting out in hair styling and a stint as a cartoonist, he turned to painting, which allowed him to assert his cultural duality and resolve his inner conflicts.
Read more
Raffy the Persian expresses himself at the border of two influences: Persian miniature and Western naïve art. Although he has always painted, he devotes his entire career to art at the age of thirty-two, thus asserting his distinctive style. He prefers to work in small formats, often highlighted by gilded stucco frames, while also producing larger works. Raffy the Persian's choice of frames creates a contrast between the apparent simplicity of his artistic expression and the richness of the framing. His works appeal both to Iranian buyers with their refinement and Westernness, as well as to Western enthusiasts who appreciate familiar themes treated with an original approach. His career took a decisive turn with his first solo exhibition in 1952. He participated in renowned Salons such as Jeune Peinture, Salon d'Automne, and Peintres Témoins de notre Temps, and was selected for the Paris (1958) and Menton biennials. Raffy also exhibited at the Drouant and Charpentier Galleries, and his reputation was confirmed by two exhibitions at the Maison de l'Iran in 1974 and 1976. Although the fall of the Shah of Iran affected some of his collectors, it did not hinder his artistic success. Raffy the Persian continued to influence the art world until his death in 2008, leaving behind a notable artistic legacy.
His works are appreciated for their unique fusion of cultures and are exhibited in various private and public collections.