Juillard - Lot 67

Juillard ANDRÉ JUILLARD THE 7 LIVES OF THE SPARROWHAWK La Blanche morte (T.1), Glénat Cover design for the 1992 reissue of the album. Signed. India ink and graphite on paper 24 × 32 cm (9.45 × 12.6 in.) In 1992, Les 7 Vies de l'Épervier (The 7 Lives of the Sparrowhawk) continued to be published in its classic "Vécu" form, but was reissued under the "Caractère" label, Glénat's prestige collection. A new layout, better paper, a larger format and, of course, new covers... Could it be any other way, given the artist's perfectionism? In this research for the first volume, André Juillard gives pride of place to Léonard Langue-Agile, the master of hawks and incarnation of the devil. A rather comical choice, given the artist's initial misgivings about the fantasy dimension: "Eventually, I got used to it... And even enjoyed it! In the background, we see Blanche, frozen to death after stripping naked to save her child. A few horsemen and a pack of dogs have set off in search of her. Juillard's illustration plays on the purity of the lines, the balance of the planes, the white of the paper symbolizing the virginity of the snow. A bit like certain Japanese prints. Les 7 Vies de L'Épervier, this saga kept me on the edge of my seat until the 13th opus. The story opens with the poignant episode of Blanche, who flees into the cold winter with her child in her arms, and gives him a chance of survival by wrapping him in her clothes and holding him against her naked body in the snow. This sacrifice gives an unparalleled dimension to the destiny of this newborn baby: "Ariane de Troïl". A great adventure, supported by André Juillard's accurate, powerful and elegant drawings. Not to be missed. François Avril