Milo MANARA (né en 1945)

Borgia - Power and Incest Watercolor on paper for plate 45 of the album. 61.2 x 45.3 cm. Albin Michel, 2006. In 2003, Milo Manara's career took a new turn. After being one of the leading figures of eroticism and adventure, the Italian master begins a new historical series with the Borgias. "Alexandro Jodorowsky proposed me this story that he masters well, because he had already made a play about it. I was immediately fascinated by this subject for several reasons. First of all, I deeply appreciate the Renaissance period, and in particular, certain pictorial aspects of the painters of the time, including Botticelli, who had the opportunity to paint many portraits of the Borgias. And then the decorum with its frescoes, paintings and sculptures are of great richness, with a rather easy to find. Finally, Italy is strongly linked to painting, rather than drawing itself, and this is what made me want to start using direct color for this story: I'm getting back to my roots." With the Borgias, Manara's work changes in depth. Big squares to bring all the necessary atmosphere to these plots and treachery that reigned in the Vatican. And above all, direct colors, which the author handles with talent to restore the paintings that have always charmed and made him travel. "I bought a very light watercolor paper, and then, I treat my squares as small paintings. With watercolor, which is both very liquid and very evocative, it's a pleasure to paint. But it takes me more than twice as long as inking. Of course, many colorists do a great job, but for this story, the colors are as important as the drawing, so I wanted to do everything myself. As it's also a journey into Renaissance painting, I tried to keep some of the tones of the time. For me, it was a real pleasure." A pleasure shared with this plate that pays tribute to the painters of the Renaissance; Botticelli, whose movement of some characters and the scene in front of the banquet are found, and Raphael, the painter of the Vatican apartments, whose architecture, composition and references to antiquity Manara prints. The set allows both to enjoy the main characters (the pope and Lucretia), while having a depth and a luxury of details very rare in comics.