The Museo Extremeño e Iberoamericano de Arte Contemporáneo (MEIAC) in Badajoz, in collaboration with Afundación and Obra Social Abanca, has inaugurated the exhibition “Goya Hellboy: A Vision of the Iconography of Monsters by Stéphane Levallois”. This exhibition, focused on the work of the French illustrator, establishes an intriguing dialogue between two masters from different periods: Francisco de Goya and Mike Mignola, creator of the iconic character Hellboy.
The Encounter of Two Creative Universes
The exhibition, curated by Asier Mensuro, delves into the intersection between the art of Goya and the contemporary vision of Stéphane Levallois. Through 72 works and a video, Levallois explores Goya’s fantastic iconography, from the black paintings of the Museo Nacional del Prado to the covens and witches in the oil paintings of the Museo Lázaro Galdiano. But there is an intriguing twist: Levallois incorporates into this iconography a contemporary monster, Hellboy, the famous red demon created by Mike Mignola.
Goyaesque Graphics and Hellboy’s Inspiration
Stéphane Levallois immerses himself in Goyaesque graphics, exploring the lines and strokes that Goya captured two centuries ago. The result is a unique fusion of classic and modern. In addition, the exhibition is enriched by two illustrations by Mignola: the cover of the Hellboy in the Chapel of Moloch saga and an illustration that pays homage to Goya’s canvas Átropos or Las Parcas.
The Contemporary Monster
Hellboy, with his unique character and his fight against evil, becomes the nexus between two artistic worlds. Levallois, known as “Mister Monster” in Hollywood, invites us to reflect on the persistence of the fantastic and monstrous throughout the history of art.
The exhibition will be open until June 2 at the MEIAC in Badajoz. It is an exceptional opportunity to immerse yourself in the creative minds of two geniuses and explore how their visions intertwine in a timeless dialogue. Don’t miss it!