Mario Avati: A Luminary in Mezzotint Mastery
Joining the ranks of Kyoshi Hasegawa and Yozo Hamaguchi, Mario Avati is a titan in the realm of contemporary mezzotint, renowned for the intricate “Black Way” technique. A product of the National School of Fine Arts in Paris, Avati initially delved into the arts of etching and aquatint. Yet, by 1957, his passion had shifted towards the meticulous craft of the “Black Way”, pioneering its resurgence.
Avati’s unparalleled prowess shines through his mesmerizing still lifes – a tapestry of commonplace objects from fruits and animals to musical instruments, depicted with impeccable balance, defined outlines, and the dance of light and shadow.
Boasting exhibitions across Europe, the US, and Japan, Mario Avati’s global acclaim is undeniable. His legacy is further immortalized through five cinematic tributes and illustrative contributions to literary gems by Baudelaire and Lewis Carroll, as well as revered texts like the Bible.
Esteemed Museum Holdings:
Art Institute of Chicago
Museum of Modern Art, NYC
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Victoria & Albert Museum, London
Tokyo Museum, Japan
Uffizi, Florence, Italy