A Pair Of Large Black-and-white Etchings By Walter Valentini, Italy, 1980s

Large-format etchings in powdery ivory and charcoal tones, hand-signed in small editions
(27/50) and (22/50)

The etching (on handmade paper with frayed edges) features a raised texture and draws its vitality from the structure of various materials. A rough, powdery texture, paired with smooth, glossy surfaces and graphic lines, gives these works of art their very distinctive aura. 
Glossy black frame, recently varnished.
The combination of these two large black-and-white works creates a very special synergy; they complement each other perfectly.

(The main difference between lithography and etching lies in the underlying printing principle:
lithography is a planographic printing process, while etching is a intaglio printing process. 
Engraving is a high-quality process used for small print runs.)


Walter Valentini was born in Pergola, in the Marche region, in 1928.
Even as a child, he already envisioned what his artistic world would look like: he was fascinated by the portals of palaces and spent hours observing the peeling walls and ceiling beams of his home.
After the war, he attended the “Libro” school in Urbino, where he learned the secrets of engraving techniques.
In reality, he began creating art only after he had already embarked on a different career path—that of a corporate executive.
It was Guido Gallo who ultimately convinced Walter Valentini to devote his life to art.
Initially, he was interested in geometric abstraction; in the 1980s, he developed his characteristic style, marked by curved or rhythmic lines drawn against backgrounds evoking outer space.
His technical and compositional mastery is fully expressed in his substantial and refined body of graphic work.
His sculptures are equally impressive.
Finally, his style also lends itself very well to the decoration of large architectural spaces.