Dépeigner

Dépeigner is a French verb that translates to "to unpaint" or "to paint over" in English. It generally refers to the act of removing or covering up existing paint. This can be done for various reasons, such as preparing a surface for a new coat of paint, correcting a mistake, or altering a previous artistic work.

In the context of art, dépeigner can imply an artist actively choosing to obscure or modify a section of their own painting. This is a deliberate artistic decision, sometimes made to revise a composition, explore new ideas, or as part of a conceptual process where the act of covering is as significant as the original paint. It is not to be confused with accidental damage or weathering.

More broadly, dépeigner can apply to any painted surface. For instance, a homeowner might dépeigner a wall to change its color or a restorer might dépeigner a section of a faded mural. The process often involves scraping, sanding, or applying a new layer of primer or paint to achieve the desired result of removing or covering the previous application. The term emphasizes the reversal or cancellation of a prior painting action.