The completion 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 Monstrum nostrum comprises 36 pieces , in addition to the six in the Les bêtes de Batz series.
Through this project I hope to have contributed positively to the current political debate on Who are the monsters (the aliens, the foreigners, the intruders)?
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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, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 23, San Terenzio-Rosmarus bellua, 2024, 24×42.
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Histoire des monstres 24, Nisida-Orobonis Piscis, 2024, 24×42.
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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, 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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HdM 22 bis, Marinella di Sarzana-Aper Marinus, 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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“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.
Ici le texte intégral du discours du pape en français.