ANDRE FRANQUIN (1924-1997)

PubliGaston 1967 Pencil and India ink on Schoeller paper and colored pencils on tracing paper. Sheet in three strips and title strip unmounted and its tracings of indications for the coloring taped on the upper part signed in the lower right in the last box. Dimensions of each sheet : 26 x 35,5 cm Provenance : > Private collection, France "He is a great artist, next to whom I am only a poor drawer... Hergé In order to advertise the rates of the advertising inserts in the newspaper Spirou for the year 1967, the Dupuis editions call upon their star drawer: Franquin. He could have been satisfied with a quickly executed drawing. But no! He imagines a Gaston gag in one plate, worthy of those he draws every week in Spirou. He even pushes perfectionism by delivering indications of coloring on tracing paper. A real work of goldsmith... This plate, which has remained in the printer's collection for 55 years, has never been republished since. This is a pivotal period in Franquin's work: the one of "Bravo les Brothers", where he abandons Spirou to focus on Gaston. His inking went from the pen to the brush and reached heights of vivacity. The plates from this period are remarkable for their finesse and marvel at the irresistible expressiveness of the characters. Let's judge by observing the customer stamping with joy (box 1) then jumping with impatience (box 2), the ribbons of zinc roof chimneys, or Gaston's dumbfounded face after the rocket explosion (final box)... Franquin breathes into each of his strokes a confounding life force, which makes this Publi Gaston a little masterpiece. AT In illustration : The original Publi Gaston with the board on the front and the prices on the back (1967) Franquin / Dupuis Condition report : Very good condition