French book artist, engraver, and printer Didier Mutel has been making books and engraved prints since 1988 and is an instructor at the Institut Supérieur Des Beaux Arts, Besançon, France, where he trains the next generation of engravers and book artists.  Didier's dual roles as both printer and teacher have led him to think carefully about the history of engraving as well as its future.  His talks will address the history of his ATELIER DIDIER MUTEL, founded in 1793 and a member of the Grands Ateliers de France; the history of the artist book in France; and concrete examples of his own studio practice, which seeks to incorporate historical perspectives with modern techniques and cutting-edge methodologies. 

His first talk will address the history of his atelier (founded in 1793), contextualizing its activities from 1793-present. He will further touch on the history of the artist book in France to 1991. This talk will take place at the Smith Auditorium of the Meadows Museum.