This group of drawings dates back to 1968-70, a period when I lived in Rome between my first and second trips to Brazil. At the time, I worked for Playmen magazine, publishing cartoons and illustrations of stories, which I signed with the pseudonym ‘Panzoust’. For these works I used ink, black and coloured, often using the ‘quill pen’ that was attached to the cap of ink bottles.
At the same time, I liked to experiment with different drawing tools: pencils, wax and oil pastels, sometimes tempera and watercolour. Very often the stroke was suggested by the type of tool and the paper support.
A good number of the drawings are made using the monotype technique, marking with a point a sheet of light paper placed on a glass covered with printing ink, which produces an engraving-like mark.
I also began to use, in addition to the nib, the Rapidograph, which would later become my basic tool for cartoons and comics. I speak of “Disappeared drawings” because I actually lost sight of them from that time until a couple of years ago, when they reappeared after a somewhat tortuous path.
Missing Drawings is also the title of the event for lovers of the world of comics and original drawings by Italian cartoonist and satirical author Altan, an auction to be held in Milan on Tuesday 17 September at the company’s Milan headquarters.
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