ALBERT DIATO (1927-1985) - Lot 50

ALBERT DIATO (1927-1985) Riders with tarasque Rare sculpture, forming a double soliflore. Ceramic proof enhanced with enamel and engobes. Work from the 1950s. Signed twice with the monogram stamp A.D., on a front leg and on a rear leg. 26x35.5x17cm Restorations to the tail and head of one of the riders. Provenance: - Collection J.J.O & O.A. - Galerie Marie-Pascale Suhard, Évreux. Exhibition: Vallauris, la ville atelier, 1938-1962, une aventure céramique - Musée Magnelli, musée de la céramique, Vallauris, from July 3 to October 31, 2021. Our work exhibited at this event. Bibliography: - Philippe Chambost, Pascal Marziano et Arnaud Serpollet - 1947-2017, 70 ans d'expression céramique française - Éditions Les livres de l'îlot,Neuvic, 2020. Our work reproduced on page 214. - Cécile Graziani - Vallauris, la ville atelier, 1938-1962, une aventure céramique - Catalogue of the exhibition organized at the Musée Magnelli, musée de la céramique, Vallauris (July 3 - October 31, 2021), Silvana Editoriale, Milan, 2021. Our work reproduced on page 117. Albert Diato, born in Monaco in 1927, initially set his sights on poetry and philosophy, before his encounter with Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) in Vallauris led him to ceramics. A "protean" artist, his insatiable curiosity led him to explore numerous artistic disciplines to express his emotions: writing, drawing, painting and, of course, clay, which became his preferred language. Multi-disciplinary, he embodies the ideal of the post-war creator, at a time of freedom when anything can be (re)invented. He settled in Vallauris and, with Gilbert Portanier (1926-2003) and Francine Del Pierre (1913-1968), founded the Le Triptyque studio, whose offbeat creations stood out from traditional local production. Back in Paris, he abandoned the bright hues of the South and invented a world populated by zoomorphic and anthropomorphic forms, which met with great success. His creative power is particularly evident in these works, which he infuses with his bold and singular imagination. The artist traveled throughout Europe and the rest of the world, settling in Italy and Afghanistan in particular, where he continued to experiment and pass on his know-how. Diato's work bears witness to this constantly renewed quest, both in ceramics and painting, nourished by his travels and encounters. He remains one of the most original and free creators of his time.