Mario Avati French, 1921-2009

Mario Avati (1921-2009) is, along with Kyoshi Hasegawa and Yozo Hamaguchi, one of the most unique contemporary  artists who uses the mezzotint technique. 

After having studied at the École Nationale des Arts Décoratifs (National School of Decorative Arts) in Nice and at the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-arts (National School of Fine Arts) in Paris, Avati started with etching and aquatint, but turned in 1957 to the difficult mezzotint technique, thereby contributing to its revival. His mastery of mezzotint is mainly expressed in his remarkable still lifes, everyday items such as fruits, eggs, flowers and musical instruments. These objects with firm contours bask in the splendor of their own light, or in a mysterious chiaroscuro.