HERMANN

HERMANN ◊ THE TOWERS OF BOIS-MAURY Assunta (T.11), Glénat 1998 Original plate no. 15, prepublished in Bo Doi n° 4, January 1998. Presence of superficial soiling on the back of the plate. Signed. India ink and inks on paper 36 × 47.5 cm (14.17 × 18.7 in.) A remarkable plate, typical of Hermann's art. Firstly, in the very classical, cinematic layout: the meeting of two groups of riders is initially silent, then the dialogues follow, focusing attention on the faces. Then the language, inspired by medieval speech, recalls the historical context of Sicily, through which Bois-Maury passes on his way to the Holy Land. And finally, the flawless documentation: the attitude of the riders and horses, the helmets and coats of mail of the Frankish combatants facing their interlocutors, wrapped in their Moorish-style drapery. There's a way of distilling detail to serve the narrative that's truly astonishing.