Philip Mohlitz (born Emile Philippe Magaudoux) is undoubtedly one of the most technically refined and innovative among French engravers. His depictions of decay, war, and abandoned landscapes intertwine science and fantasy in bizarre images following the traditions of surrealism. Strange aviators aboard peculiar flying machines, balloons, ships, tanks appear in impossible landscapes teeming with intricate details. The grotesque decaying buildings, machinery, and people are often overgrown with vegetation, evoking both horror and macabre delight. Each work resembles a vision or an unforgettable nightmare.
Born in Bordeaux in 1941, Philippe Mohlitz studied engraving techniques in Jean Delpech's studio in Paris in 1965. His talent as a draftsman is evident and has evolved throughout his career into a fully developed and distinctive style. Since his engraved works were first exhibited in 1967, Philippe Mohlitz has showcased his art extensively worldwide. His superlative technique is characterized by refined handling, meticulous details, and smooth, continuous curves of unbroken engraved lines with carefully controlled weight. Philippe Mohlitz's astonishing engravings are already appreciated by connoisseurs and are intended to be regarded as the masterpieces of original engraving in this generation.
