Nature morte à l'estampe (Still Life with Print) 1962

Mario Avati created this enigmatic still life, "Nature morte à l'estampe," with a printmaking process that feels like a slow, deliberate dance. It's all about how the eye travels through shades, building up form, bit by bit. Look closely, and you'll see how Avati coaxes light from the darkness, playing with textures that seem almost velvety. The way he renders the swirling patterns on the vase, it’s like the form is emerging from the shadows. And those shells, nestled together, they have this incredible, almost palpable presence. It's as if Avati is asking us to really *see* these objects, to feel their weight and their quiet mystery. This piece reminds me of the graphic work of Escher, where forms shift and play with perception. But here, Avati invites us into a more intimate, almost meditative space. There’s no right way to read it, it's all about seeing where it takes you.