Will - Lot 58

Will WILL Antonin et le Petit Cirque, Dupuis 1967 Original cover. The subtitle is a reproduction affixed to the original. Signed. Gouache and colored inks on paper 22.2 × 21.8 cm (8.74 × 8.58 in.) One of the strengths of Dupuis publishing in the 1960s was its presence in the mass-market channel, where children's books reigned supreme. As the Marcinelle-based publisher had always been a generalist eager to keep its printing plants running, it had no choice but to jump into this market. Hence the creation in 1966 of the Collection du Carrousel, initially dedicated to the company's stars (Franquin, Peyo...). But very soon, these stars, overwhelmed by the success of their regular series, gave way to less sought-after authors. In this volume, written by Charles Degotte (the creator of Flagada), Will displays all his talent as a graphic artist and painter: a consummate art of gouache, treated here in a pictorial manner, a science of color and the use of a form of abstraction found in the evocation of the crowd, here simply sketched by smiles. A beautiful and powerful image, characteristic of the author, symbolizing the wonder of childhood.