BENJAMIN LACOMBE

Madama Butterfly is the story of thwarted love between a geisha and an American young army officer.

Benjamin Lacombe re-interprets the unforgettable Puccini’s opera —with the Italian libretto written by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica—. An opera which was partly based on the short story Madame Butterfly (1898) by John Luther Long and on Madame Chrysanthème (1887) by Pierre Loti. Benjamin Lacombe turns it more dramatic, revealing the unheard voice of a tormented Pinkerton

This exhibition includes a selection of original and sculptures, striking and evocative illustrations that recreate the oriental aesthetics. In total, 25 original drawings where we appreciate the different techniques used by the artist, like gouache, oil on paper, pencil or watercolor. In addition to these pieces that illustrated the book, we can also see the impressive ten-meter sketch of the illustration of back of the book.

Finally, Benjamin Lacombe has gathered the characters of the opera with polymer, moiré and acrylic.