Schuiten, Francois - Obscure Cities, L'Archiviste, Plate 16 (1986)
Artist: Francois Schuiten (All)
24 Comments - 527 Views - 10 Likes
Artwork Details
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DescriptionFrom the Alta Plana website describing L'Archiviste:_____________________________________________________________________________________________ L'Archiviste is the third volume of the Chronicles of the Obscure Cities, published in 1986 AD. An album of unusually large size itthat does justice to the excellent plates telling the story. In 1987, Casterman was planning a series of large-size albums of pictures by famous cartoonists. The idea was that the individual pages could be taken out and used as posters. The concept never really took off, but Schuiten and Peeters were approached in the early stages. At that time, François had already produced several pieces. The idea of merely displaying a collection of pictures did not appeal much to the authors, but they saw an opportunity to consolidate some disparate elements and expand on the universe of the Obscure Cities as a whole. After some discussions with the editor, they managed to have the original layout modified to include text and images on the back of the prints, turning the whole portfolio into a story that stands on its own. The French term archiviste means not only “archive keeper”, but also designates a person who researches old documents. In Europe, where archives have been piling up for over two thousand years, this is a serious job. In this story, we meet Isidore Louis, who is given the task of researching the rumors that have begun to circulate about some mysterious Obscure Cities. Proper documentation is hard to come by, but Isidore manages to find several pieces of interest. Among those are snippets about Xhystos, Brüsel, Calvani, Roth, Mylos, and Alaxis. True to a habit that was becoming well-established, Schuiten and Peeters skillfully mixed references to books already published along with tantalizing glimpses of things to come. This treatment of each album as a well-integrated part of a greater whole accounts for much of the series' popularity. L’Archiviste also introduced the concept that the Obscure Cities are somehow alive, feeding our dreams as much as being sustained by them. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ This image was 'document 16' as examined by Isidore Louis and was entitled 'Mylos - The Lizbar Dumps' and was accompanied by the French text (translated by me - be wary of its accuracy) - "But he already doesn't listen to her anymore. Understanding and reaching the holy of holies are now his only goals. Distraught, the young woman gives up trying to convince him. Pursuing a loneexploration, he manages to infiltrate to the heart of mechanics. In this crazy intertwining of pulleys and cutters, of levers and jacks, he almost gets torn to pieces at any moment. To reduce the risks, he first gets rid of his nozzles, then, as the heat continues to increase, of all his clothes. But while, deaf to Terrie's calls, he continues to advance toward the supreme generator, she knows what the outcome of his quest will be..." This image was also used as Francois Schuiten's original poster art for the Obscure Cities exhibition in Aachen, Germany in 1990 (also in my Obscure Cities gallery). The Obscure Cities is a graphic novel series set on a counter-Earth. It was created by the Belgian comics artist Francois Schuiten and his longtime friend, writer Benoit Peeters, in the early 1980s. In this fictional world, humans live in independent city-states, each of which has developed a distinct civilization, each characterized by a distinctive architectural style. The word 'Obscure' is a bit misleading for English-speaking readers; the French use the word for multiple meanings, including "mysterious," "hidden," or even "secluded." Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Rick W 
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 10/1/2023
Technically brilliant, from the perspective, to the skyscraping bricks fading into obscurity!
DC's Showcase
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 10/1/2023
I'd say this was worth the wait to find "just the right example." Very nice!
Rob Pistella
Member Since 2005
Forum Moderator
1 - Posted on 10/1/2023
Very lovely!! Perfect example!
Suat Tong Ng
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 10/1/2023
Wow - who would have thought you would get one of these. Congrats!
Ron S
Member Since 2007
2 - Posted on 10/1/2023
Very cool! And, now the fans of European art are all trembling. Chris is a comin'
David Blumer
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 10/1/2023
Obscure cities some I the best comics out there! This piece is a triumph! Congrats. A dream piece
artless artmore
Member Since 2013
1 - Posted on 10/1/2023
So cool! I've always loved Schuiten's architecture, sense of scale, and overall vibe. His characters always seem at home in his fantastical urban environments
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 10/2/2023
Interesting to see the mindset of German thnkers and artists after the Berlin wall began being torn down 1989. These segregated towers might have represented that same mentality, as reunification of the country needed to bridge cultures that have grown while they had been kept far apart.
Oystein Sorensen
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 10/2/2023
A great one. Very representative of what Schuiten does with architecture and perspectives.
GAB R
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 10/3/2023
What an incredible addition to your great collection. Not only a poster but one of these included in the classic album l'archiviste. Congratulations
Jeff Singh
Member Since 2004
1 - Posted on 10/4/2023
Sublime choice for an example by this European master.
K Gearon
Member Since 2011
1 - Posted on 10/7/2023
Great linework and love that extreme upward perspective. Wow. Congrats!
Toni S
Member Since 2019
1 - Posted on 10/8/2023
Oh man!!! This is a master piece!!! Les Cités Obscures is a dream!!!!
Peter Sullivan
Member Since 2006
1 - Posted on 10/10/2023
Very happy to see such a beautiful pice of artwork and bonus of bonuses, the view is not obscured. You know what I am talking about...
Chris K.
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 10/10/2023
Peter Sullivan wrote:
Very happy to see such a beautiful pice of artwork and bonus of bonuses, the view is not obscured. You know what I am talking about...
I most certainly do...
Ruben DaCollector
Member Since 2008
1 - Posted on 10/10/2023
Wow, what a fantastic piece by a master craftsman! I've yet to even read The Leaning Girl, even though I've had it for a few years and flip through it every now and then. His work is so brilliant. Congrats on acquiring this, Chris!
Bill J
Member Since 2009
1 - Posted on 10/19/2023
Intriguing German poster art for a sci-fi series! I am fascinated by this illustration of a mysterious city with multiple futuristic towers, all identical, and strange security cables that seem to trap visitors. Interesting that the artist depicts a woman, caught by the cables, which seem determined to undress her, while another visitor, floating higher up, is being dragged down as well. Strange, but kind of tantalizing, as well.
Joao Antunes
Member Since 2007
1 - Posted on 2/2/2025
Schuiten for me is definitely one of those artists that elevate the medium, when you see one of his artworks you just fell in love with it. Congratulations!
Rogelio Arias
Member Since 2012
1 - Posted on 5/11/2025
I have missed this one and I'm really unpleased about it.
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