NAL (1926-C.1990) Five studies in black ink or charcoal In sheet form Minor accidents Height 76 cm - Width 56.5 cm (max) Provenance: Françoise Caste-Deburaux sale, December 20, 2011, lot no. 66, 68, 71, 73 and 74. Born to a father of Chinese origin and a European mother, Nal spent part of his childhood in Indochina, whose landscapes, light and traditions left a lasting imprint on his imagination. Settling in France after the war, he entered the École des Beaux-Arts de Nice in 1946, and soon exhibited at the Blanchard gallery, where his talent was immediately acclaimed. It was here that he made the decisive encounter with Jean Cocteau, who was to become a loyal and admiring supporter. Their friendship gave rise to several collaborations and exchanges, of which a moving illustrated letter still bears witness today. Nal's work, on the borders of dream and symbolism, blends Eastern and Western influences in a quest for pictorial harmony. Imaginary landscapes, dreamlike motifs and a singular visual style that is uniquely his own. His work has been exhibited in Paris, New York, Vevey and Montreal, attracting many collectors and personalities from the art world. A discreet yet profoundly original figure, Nal remains an artist to be rediscovered, whose poetic and mysterious universe continues to touch with its sincerity and inner strength.