Illustrated Book 'Gli animali letterati' Features Animals Composed of Typography

A new illustrated book titled 'Gli animali letterati' presents a collection of animal images created from typographic elements. The work is authored by Muriel Barbery and features illustrations by Nicolas Vial, with Alberto Bracci Testasecca serving as translator. Published by Edizioni e/o, the book explores dual meanings of the word 'letterati' in its title. Visually, the animals are constructed from letters, serving as illuminated initials or inhabited spaces filled with diverse typefaces. These typographic creatures originate from lithographed alphabets originally produced by Vial's grandfather, Henri. Narratively, the term references the animals' desire to author their own stories, responding to what they perceive as inadequate or appropriated human accounts of their experiences. Specific animal characters like the rhinoceros and parrot express this narrative ambition through dialogue within the book. The project draws from Vial's longstanding fascination with animal imagery and his family's artistic heritage in printmaking techniques.