BILAL - Lot 101

BILAL ENKI BILAL THE NIKOPOL TRILOGY Froid Équateur (T.3), Les Humanoïdes Associés 1992 Original plate no. 8. The phylacteries are glued to the base. India ink, acrylic, watercolor, pastel and grease pencil on paper 33.5 × 44.5 cm (13.19 × 17.52 in.) A leading figure in modern science fiction, painter and visual artist, Bilal took part in the adventure of Métal Hurlant with Exterminateur 17 - based on a script by Jean-Pierre Dionnet in 1979 - before becoming his own scriptwriter, developing a personal science fiction universe based on direct color work: The Nikopol Trilogy. At the same time, he went on to direct a number of films that would leave their mark on the history of cinema. Cinema, which is at the heart of the plate we're looking at. His color work has evolved and become more complex. Watercolor techniques have been joined by grease pencil, pastel and acrylic. Chroma is less realistic and even plays a part in the story, like the bubbles that comment on the color of the animals' coats. The author makes his story more complex, becoming both more elliptical and more poetic. In recent years, this exceptional cartoonist has alternated between outstanding cinematographic achievements, comic strips and major exhibitions, making him one of the most appreciated names on the international art market. His works can be found in collections all over the world, in Europe (including Venice), Japan and China... A little icing on the cake in this panel: identifying himself with his hero Nikopol, the character wearing dark glasses in the third panel is a self-portrait of the artist.