Histoire des monstres suite (2021-2025).

The continuation of a series begun in December 2021 entitled Histoire des monstres and based on fifteen plates from Ulyssis Aldrovandi’s Monstrorum Historia (Bononia 1642). The series went through several variations including a change of title to Monstrum nostrum, echoing Pope Francis’ speech at the Rencontres méditérranéennes in Marseille, in September 2023 (please see links at bottom of page).

As I see no further possible variations, given the artistic tools at my disposal, I decided to terminate the series. Consequently the final version of Histoire des monstres suite comprises 43 pieces, in addition to the six in the Les bêtes de Batz series and the nine HdM variations.
It has found a complement in two limited edition booklets, Histoire des monstres and A sea-change.

Through this project I hope to have contributed to the current political debate on issues of otherness, identity, and identification.

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Histoire des monstres 02, Don’Ana-Andura Piscis, 2021, 24×42.
Here the link to the 2021 series.
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Nuovi mostri 04, Sète-Elephas Marinus, 2023, 30×40.
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Nuovi mostri 05, Mèze-Draco marinus, 2023, 30×40.
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HdM 16 bis, Maguelone-Monstrosus Cyprinus, 2023, 24×42.

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Histoire des monstres 20, Rosignano Solvay-Sus marinus, 24×42, 2024.
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Histoire des monstres 21, La Spezia Fincantieri-Niliaca parei, 2024, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 22, Marinella di Sarzana-Vituli marini, 2024 (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 23, San Terenzio-Rosmarus bellua, 2024 (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 24, Nisida-Orobonis Piscis, 2024 (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 25, La Bufalara-Aper Marinus, 2024, 24×42.
Histoire des monstres 26, Finistère-Sus marinus, 2024, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 27, Finistère-Orca Balaenam, 2024 (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 28, Finistère-Draco marinus, 2024 (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 29, Finistère-Raia, 2024, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 31, Arles-Cetus capillatus, 2024,24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 32, Aigues Mortes-Monstrosus Cyprinus, 2024, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 33, Mèze-humana facie, 2024, 26×42
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Histoire des monstres 34, Marinella di Sarzana-Daemoniforme,2024, 26×42.
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Histoire des monstres 35, Vado Ligure-Andura piscis, 2024 (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 36, Vado Ligure-Balaine, 2024, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 37, Fiora-Piscis reticulatus, 2024, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 38, Fosso bianco-Piscis Leonini, 2024, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 39, Fosso bianco-Rana piscatrix, 2024, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 40, Marina di Vietri-Humana facie, 2024 (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 41, Marina di Vietri-Equus marinus, 2024 (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 43, Port Vendres-Rana piscatrix, 2024, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 44, Marina di Vietri-Andura piscis, 2025, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 45, Marina di Vietri-Rana piscatrix, 2025, 24×42.

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“C’è un grido di dolore che più di tutti risuona e che sta tramutando il mare nostrum in mare mortuum; il Mediterraneo da culla della civiltà a tomba della dignità. È il grido soffocato dei fratelli e delle sorelle migranti”.

Dal discorso del papa alla sessione finale degli incontri del Mediterraneo, Palais du Pharo, Marsiglia, 23 settembre 2023.
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Postilla: mail a mia figlia, 15 novembre 2024.