74 - Schwartz

Schwartz OLIVIER SCHWARTZ Original illustration published in the special issue dedicated to Albert Uderzo, *90 par Toutatis !* by *Tonnerre de Bulles*, in April 2017. Signed. Gouache on paper 35.5 × 51 cm (13.98 × 20.08 in.) To mark Uderzo’s 90th birthday in 2017, the magazine *Tonnerre de Bulles* invited 90 leading comic book artists to contribute to a special issue published in tribute to the creator of *Asterix*. Among them were: Zep, Loisel, Hermann, Cosey, Marini, Boucq… and Olivier Schwartz. At the time, the Brexit referendum had just taken place. The artist decided to reimagine the cover of *Asterix in Britain*. Whereas in the original illustration, the two Gauls, accompanied by Jolitorax, were being chased by the English rugby players, here it is the rugby players who are chasing them, begging them not to leave the European Union. The playing field has been transformed into a flag. And, as the context has changed, the warm colors of Uderzo’s cover have given way to cooler hues. The original is accompanied by the title of the imaginary cover designed by the author in gouache, which can be superimposed on the drawing. “Asterix was one of the first comic books I loved. So when I was asked to participate, I was very eager to be part of this initiative. I created a politically charged drawing because I was very sad that the British were leaving Europe. For them as well as for us, I considered it a serious mistake. And I know that Uderzo loved this drawing.” O.S.