PARIS | Matignon

4 > 19 Mar 2022

Presentation

Following the Les Druides and Aspic, Détectives de l'étrange series, with their precisely defined graphics, the Canadian illustrator Jacques Lamontagne has adopted a completely new graphic approach in this hard-hitting Western, once again written by Thierry Gloris. Each plate presents us with a far from rosy picture of the Wild West - a period in American history when, despite the beauty of those wide-open spaces, men seem to have behaved like wild creatures unleashed, giving vent, unchecked, to their basest instincts. Jacques Lamontagne's drawings succeed in conveying this dark side of human behaviour together with an impression of vast dust-filled landscapes that feed into the oppressive atmosphere of the narrative. His drawing style is dense, rugged, detailed - particularly in his treatment of faces, which express all the lived experience of the characters and the difficulties they encounter - and his use of large frames enables him to create pictures full of authentic detail and which capture the sense of wilderness.

This exhibition - which is designed to coincide with the publication of the third volume of Wild West (17 March, Éditions Dupuis) - brings together all the plates from the new album, together with its cover, and a selection of plates taken from the first two albums. Also on display will be several colour and black and white illustrations that demonstrate the wonderful range of Jacques Lamontagne's approach to drawing.

Meet the writer: Thursday 3 March 2022, from 5.30 pm to 8.00 pm.

Works available to view online from Friday 4 March 2022.