Mario Avati (French, 1921–2009), Manière noire aux noix, 1964 Mezzotint
Mario Avati (French, born Monaco, 1921–2009) was a painter and printmaker active in Paris and best known for his mastery of mezzotint, a demanding intaglio process highlighting shape and light. Avati became one of the major modern practitioners of the medium, often using still-life subjects, eggs, fruit, shells, objects, and dark staged interiors to create quiet, surreal compositions. His work is represented in major print collections including the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Manière noire aux noix, 1964, is a mezzotint printed in black on cream wove paper. The composition presents a halved walnut beside a rounded bowl holding several whole walnuts, their textured shells emerging from a deep, velvety black ground through finely modulated highlights. Numbered in graphite “62/85” lower left, titled “MANIÈRE NOIRE AUX NOIX” lower center, and signed “AVATI” lower right; dated “64” in the plate at lower right. Sheet measures approximately 18.625 x 14.875 inches; image measures approximately 8.25 x 5.625 inches. Overall good appearance. Light toning with a broad rectangular mat line, scattered small spots and minor handling in the margins, and deckled sheet edges. Verso is largely clean with the pencil notation “SS-23” at upper left. Image presents well. Provenance of Martin and Enid Gleich.
Condition
Please review the photos for a complete understanding of condition.
Dimensions
18.625 x 14.875 in
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
Mario Avati (French, born Monaco, 1921–2009) was a painter and printmaker active in Paris and best known for his mastery of mezzotint, a demanding intaglio process highlighting shape and light. Avati became one of the major modern practitioners of the medium, often using still-life subjects, eggs, fruit, shells, objects, and dark staged interiors to create quiet, surreal compositions. His work is represented in major print collections including the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Manière noire aux noix, 1964, is a mezzotint printed in black on cream wove paper. The composition presents a halved walnut beside a rounded bowl holding several whole walnuts, their textured shells emerging from a deep, velvety black ground through finely modulated highlights. Numbered in graphite “62/85” lower left, titled “MANIÈRE NOIRE AUX NOIX” lower center, and signed “AVATI” lower right; dated “64” in the plate at lower right. Sheet measures approximately 18.625 x 14.875 inches; image measures approximately 8.25 x 5.625 inches. Overall good appearance. Light toning with a broad rectangular mat line, scattered small spots and minor handling in the margins, and deckled sheet edges. Verso is largely clean with the pencil notation “SS-23” at upper left. Image presents well. Provenance of Martin and Enid Gleich.
Condition
Please review the photos for a complete understanding of condition.
Dimensions
18.625 x 14.875 in
Estimate
Reserve
Time, Location
Auction House
