Description
“Maniere Noire a la Montre: A Luminary in Mezzotint Mastery”
The mezzotint etching titled “Maniere Noire a la Montre” is a sublime representation of Mario Avati’s unparalleled artistry and meticulous attention to detail. This artwork, printed with precision on the esteemed BFK Rives paper, belongs to an elite collection limited to just 100 impressions, which also encompasses artist proofs. Avati’s distinct signature graces the lower right of the artwork in pencil, while the title and edition number find their rightful place on the left. Every inch of this deeply imprinted artwork speaks of excellence and perfection. A point of interest is its notable origin: it was acquired during the UCLA Art Council deaccession fundraiser, adding another layer of prestige to its already illustrious history. With a keen focus on its long-term preservation, the etching has been meticulously encased in an acetate sleeve. It has been stored in our architectural flat files drawers that ensure its protection, all the while residing in a controlled, smoke-free environment. Such dedicated preservation efforts ensure that future generations can also marvel at its beauty.
Provenance
The artwork was acquired in 1998 from the distinguished Lumina Gallery, situated in SoHo, NYC. Ensuring its impeccable condition, the piece has been preserved in an architectural flat file drawer within a smoke-free, adult environment. We, at www.markshapirofineart.com, are committed to the highest standards of care, housing all our prints in either tissue or plastic sleeves and shipping them flat to guarantee their pristine delivery.
A Glimpse into the Life of Mario Avati
Mario Avati along with Kyoshi Hasegawa & Yozo Hamaguchi is one of the finest technicians of the technique known as the “black way” in contemporary mezzotint printing.
Avati attended the National School of Fine Arts in Paris and became interested in etching and aquatint, from 1957 onwards he turned towards the more difficult technique known as the “Black Way” which he helped to revive. His great mastery is expressed above all in his remarkable still lifes, everyday objects: fruits, eggs, flowers, animals, musical instruments, in perfect harmony, objects with firm contours, in the brightness of their own light, or in a mysterious chiaroscuro. The international fame of Mario Avati is confirmed by more than 30 one-man & group exhibitions in Europe, the United States & Japan. There have been 5 short films created on his artwork, as well as illustrations from books including Baudelaire, Lewis Carroll, and the Bible.
