Gravures - Correspondence

Gravures  is a  Correspondence between Mario Prassinos and Nesto Jacometti,  written in French,  in 1961 , and  composed of  6 items,  prefectly readable and in excellent conditions, except for holes on the left margin.

• A Typewritten Letter Signed by N.J with autograph notes in pencil by Nesto.
• Four Autograph Letters Signed by Prassinos to Nesto. 
• A Autograph Card of invitation by Prassinos to Nesto

In 1955 the editor and collector, Nesto Jacometti engaged in the new publishing initiative, L'Oeuvre Gravée, calling new prestigious names on the Parisian art scene. Many artists owe their initiation to the art of engraving to him: Marino Marini, Massimo Campigli, Zao Wou-Ki, Johnny Friedlaender, Corneille, Max Ernst and Alberto Magnelli, and Mario Prassinos. The long typewritten letter by Nesto explains the graphic project and is a very detaild report of the ambitions editorial adventure, with the results it has just reported during six years (1955-1961).

" Je veux reprendre le travail avec toi, avec des gravures d'un autre esprit et peut-être d'une technique différente".

Mario Prassinos (1916–1985)

Mario Prassinos, Greek-Italian descendent, was a French modernist painter, printmaker, illustrator, stage designer and writer, brother of the noted surrealist writer, Gisèle Prassinos. During the period 1942 to 1950 he met Raymond Queneau and Albert Camus and produced artworks for Editions Gallimard. Prassinos' work is found in major art museums in Europe and North America.After his death, a donation of 800 of the artist's works was made to the French state. The "Donation Mario Prassinos" collection is housed in the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Pitié in Saint Remy de Provence.

Nesto Jacometti (Locarno, 1898- 1973)

 Nesto Jacometti is  still today a fascinating figure of the Locano and International cultural scene of the last century. Collector and editor of graphic art, he was the promoter of two important editorial projects and adventures: the Guilde Internationale de la Gravure and L’Oeuvre Gravée

Born in Locarno at the end of the 19th century, at the age of 30 he left Ticino to move to Paris and immerse himself in the bohemian atmosphere of Montparnasse. The war forces him to return to Switzerland, to Geneva, where he works in the journalistic field and he knows figures as Albert Skira and Pierre Cailler. With the latter one a collaboration born and  resulted, in 1949, in a printing guild: an edition of etchings and lithographs destined for a wide circulation of the Paris School. During all his life, Jacometti collaborates and involves artists such as Rufino Tamayo and Jean Lurçat, Antoni Clavé, Zao Wou-Ki, Alfred Manessier, Gustave Singier and Zoran Music. He was awarded at the Venice Biennale in 1953, with the Critics' Grand Prix.In 1955 Jacometti engaged in the new publishing initiative, L'Oeuvre Gravée, calling new prestigious names on the Parisian art scene. Many artists owe their initiation to the art of engraving to him: Marino Marini, Massimo Campigli, Zao Wou-Ki, Johnny Friedlaender, Corneille, Max Ernst and Alberto Magnelli.

Paul Claudel.