Raymond Moretti, a key artist in the history of La Défense
An artist who has left his mark on the history of La Défense in more ways than one, Raymond Moretti moved from his native Nice to Paris, and set down his suitcases and his Monstre in the business district in 1973, never to leave again.
The story of an artist who relentlessly pushes boundaries and explores, a journey highlighted in a landmark exhibition in the birthplace of his childhood.
Two emblematic works in the neighborhood
If someone says to you: Raymond Moretti's monumental and highly colorful work, which is undoubtedly one of the most prized in the neighborhood, you answer.... The Moretti, of course!
Transforming a ventilation chimney into a work of art, it is composed of 672 fiberglass tubes and alternates no less than 19 different colors over a height of 32 meters. The result is a monumental work of art on the scale of the district, and a resolutely graphic and cheerful spotlight, much sought-after by photographers and users alike!
Lurking in the bowels of the business district, unseen by the general public, Le Monstre, Moretti's Dantesque sculpture and major protean work - in other words, his life's work - rests...
This assemblage of wood, metal, Plexiglas, glass and paint measures no less than 30 meters long, 13 meters wide and 8 meters high! And yet, it remains unfinished, perhaps because it was never intended to be...
As part of the project to promote the district's works of art, Paris La Défense is considering an alternative way of making it accessible to all.
Find out more about Le Monstre
For the record, Raymond Moretti also created a third work, Pendule, installed in the Quatre Temps shopping center, but which was removed during the restoration of the site.
An artist in love with La Défense
Born in Nice in 1931 to Italian parents, Raymond Moretti took up painting at an early age.
At the age of sixteen, the artist began his artistic work in the studios de la Victorine in Nice. As time went by, he created the incredible evolving sculpture-architecture that Joseph Kessel years later dubbed Le Monstre.
In the early 70s, Moretti decided to move to the capital, and took his Monstre with him. A veritable expedition before the work was temporarily exhibited in one of the Baltard pavilions in the Halles district. The last journey of the Monstre and its artist was shorter, when Moretti took up permanent residence in a 1,000 m² space in the basement of La Défense in 1973, which then became his studio.
Since then, Le Monstre has resided in the dens of La Défense, and its development continued until the death of its master. A man of passion, especially for jazz and the La Défense district where he lived and created and where everyone knew him, he passed away on June 3, 2005.
An all-inclusive exhibition
With the school vacations fast approaching and the many bridges in the lovely month of May, perhaps you're planning a little trip to the Côte d'Azur? We'd say the timing is perfect!
From April 5 to June 29, 2025, the City of Nice is celebrating Raymond Moretti and his work with an exhibition entitled Raymond Moretti, l'homme qui peint.
A unique opportunity to discover the richness and eclecticism of Moretti's work, with :
- a monumental 12-metre frieze tracing his life through rare archives and photographs ;
- an original, lavishly illustrated catalog, including a text by Marie-France Moretti evoking the painter's dazzling early career;
- over 50 works, including a selection from the Hôtel Le Negresco private collection.
Guided tours and free workshops are also available to the public (booking required).
Practical info
From April 5 to June 29, 2025
Espace Culturel Départemental Lympia
2 quai Entrecasteaux - 06300 Nice
Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm
Free admission
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