Utopia of space in the book graphics by Francisco Infante

Abstract

The subject of this research is the book illustration by F. Infante in comparison with his graphics and easel works. The object of this research is the image of space in the book illustration by Francisco Infante. The research employs the popular science and science fiction publications illustrated by Francisco Infante, as well as his graphics and painting. The article examines the specificity and uniqueness of the image of space in the artist’s works. Attention is given to comprehensive comparison of this image in the book illustration with the more extensive context F. Infante’s works. Based on the example of book graphics and analysis of theoretical concepts of F. Infante, the article aims to reveal the distinctness of his representations of space from the perspective of the utopia of relations between man and the Universe, as well as to determine how illustrations on this topic fit into the general context of the works of the artist. The main conclusion lies in description of the unique approach of F. Infante towards the indicated topic. The artist referred to the main motifs from his graphics and easel painting; however, modified them according to the specificity of plotline of the illustrated publication. Special attention is paid to the artist's preferred shapes: spiral and dot, with allowed reflecting the idea of the infinite space. The novelty of this article consists in reference to the material that has not yet been used for comprehensive scientific work in the field of art history. The author is first to introduce into the scientific context the book illustration by Francisco Infante on the space theme.