FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2026
Une Femme Forte: René Romero Schuler’s new solo exhibition explores the strengths
and psychological landscapes of the human figure at 812 Royal Gallery
René Romero Schuler, Magica, 2025, oil on canvas, 48 x 48 in
New Orleans, LA – 812 Royal Gallery presents Une Femme Forte, a solo exhibition by René Romero Schuler featuring a new body of work exploring strength not as spectacle but as presence. The exhibition is on view April 10 – 30, 2026, with an opening reception on April 11th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm.
Known for her emotionally charged portraits of women, Schuler continues her investigation into identity, vulnerability, and resilience, offering figures that exist both within and beyond time. The figures in these works are not posed for the viewer; they inhabit their own psychological landscapes. Rendered with Schuler’s signature muted palette and tactile surfaces, each figure carries the weight of lived experience: memory, loss, endurance, and self-possession.
Drawing from influences as varied as classical portraiture, cinematic stills, and personal narrative, Schuler blurs the line between the individual and the archetypal. These women are specific yet universal, embodying a collective feminine force shaped by both fragility and fortitude. The French title, Une Femme Forte (“a strong woman”) invokes a multiplicity of meanings: emotional strength, survival, autonomy, and the courage to remain open in a complex world.
Presented in the historic setting of 812 Royal Gallery, the exhibition resonates with New Orleans’ own layered history of beauty, struggle, and persistence. Schuler’s work invites viewers into a space of reflection, asking us to reconsider what strength looks like when it is internal, nuanced, and unapologetically human.
Exhibition Details
On view: April 10 – 30, 2026
VIP Reception: April 10th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Opening Reception: April 11th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
812 Royal Gallery
812 Royal St.
New Orleans, LA 70116
About René Romero Schuler
René Romero Schuler is an American painter and sculptor who creates powerful images that speak to the complexities of the human condition and the spirit that connects all human beings.
Feminine figures are a constant in Schuler’s art, which she claims is equal parts self-portraiture and depictions of the range of emotions she has experienced. Her challenging childhood imbues her work with an appreciation for the universal yet essentially intimate struggles and triumphs of human existence. In her quest for a feeling of connection, Schuler speaks to global and societal issues that impact us all.
Schuler’s paintings and sculptures are purposely semi-abstract and textured, rendering them open to interpretation by the viewer. Their power lies in the layers of applied materials scraped, carved and incised by hand and the elusive quality of the figures – wholistically beautiful but symbolic of the scars and flaws that shape individuals.
Currently represented by galleries across the U.S., Canada and Europe, Schuler has had major exhibitions throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia, and has work included in the permanent collections of numerous museums and institutions.
Schuler’s art and selected essays and poetry are collected into published works: René Romero Schuler: Life and Works, 2013; René Romero Schuler, 2016 and René Romero Schuler, 2019, now available in its second edition. A fourth book, Ladies, published by G Editions NYC was released in 2024. Her new book, 100 Paintings, which includes an introductory conversation with Cydney Payton (former director and curator of the Denver Art Museum), is forthcoming from Jasper Press.
Website: https://www.reneromeroschuler.com
Instagram: @reneromeroschuler
About 812 Royal Gallery
812 Royal Gallery is a woman-owned establishment founded by Kyla Bernberg. Together with her partner, Jack Bosma, their team brings over 25 years of experience in the Royal Street gallery scene. Nestled in the heart of New Orleans’ historically rich French Quarter, the gallery harmoniously blends the city’s timeless elegance with contemporary artistic expressions.
Their two-room gallery offers a curated experience: one space honors the mastery of renowned traditional artists displayed among carefully selected antiques, while the contemporary bay showcases exceptional talent from around the globe. This duality reflects New Orleans itself—a city where tradition meets innovation, and eclecticism meets refinement.
Website: https://www.812royalgallery.com
Instagram: @812royalgallery