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 couple of title changes (A Sea-change, Monstrum nostrum). It kept me busy for almost three years, and it was my only artistic activity apart from my applied art work (see Folk Art 2003-2025). It also echoes the political and social changes we are experiencing.
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 60 pieces, in addition to the six in the Les bêtes de Batz series and the nine HdM variations.
It has found a complement in three limited edition booklets, Histoire des monstres (2022), A sea-change (2024) and Monstrum nostrum (2025).
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 suite, a catalogue.
Histoire des monstres 01, Fiora-Sus marinus, 24×42, completed December 15, 2021.
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Histoire des monstres 02, Don’Ana-Andura, 2021, 24×42 (on deposit at the Sit down gallery, Paris).
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Histoire des monstres 03, Rofalco-Rosmarus, 2021, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 04, Morgantina-Orobonis, 2021, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 05, Cavone di Castro-Aper, 2021, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 06, Brignogan-Orca, 2021, (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 07, Via cava Fratenuti-Raia, 2021, (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 08, Grève blanche-Equus, 2021, (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 09, Fosso bianco-humana facie, 2021, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 10, Balena bianca-Vituli, 2021, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 11, Camp de César-Niliaca Parei, 2021, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 12, Ponte san Pietro-Daemoniforme, 2021, (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 19, Maguelone-humana facie, 22×42, 2024.
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Histoire des monstres 20, Rosignano Solvay-Sus marinus, 2024, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 21, Fincantieri-Niliaca parei, 2024, (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 22, Marinella-Vituli marini, 2024, (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 23, San Terenzio-Rosmarus, 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.
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Histoire des monstres 27, Finistère-Orca Balaenam, 2024 (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 28, Porz Melloc-Draco marinus, 2024 (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 29 bis, Batz-Raia exiccata, 2024 (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 30, Roch-Elephas, 2024, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 31, Arles-Cetus, 2024, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 32, Aigues Mortes-Cyprinus, 2024, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 33, Mèze-daemoniforme, 2024, 24×42.
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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, 2024, (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 37, Fiora-Piscis reticulatus, 2024, (private collection).
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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, 2024 (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 43, Port Vendres-bambini, 2024 (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 44, Marina di Vietri-Andura piscis, 2025, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 45 ter, Marina di Vietri-Rana piscatrix, 2025, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 46, Marina di Vietri-Raia, 2025, (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 47, Marina di Vietri-Orca balaena, 2025, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 48, Aigues Mortes-Cetus capillatus, 2025, 23×40.
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Histoire des monstres 49, Nisida-Draco marinus, 2025, 24×40.
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Histoire des monstres 50, Batz-leonini effigies, 2025, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 51, Marinella-Niliaca Parei, 2025, (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 52, Bilancino-Rosmarus bellua, 2025, 24×40.
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Histoire des monstres 55, Batz-Piscis reticulatum, 2025, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 58, Nervi-Monstrosus Cyprinus, 2025, (private collection).
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Histoire des monstres 59, Marinella- Elephas Marinus, 2025, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 60, Menton- humana facie, 2025, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres series, as shown at Via dalla Storia. Le fil rouge exhibition, MLAC, Rome, March-April 2026.
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