A leading exponent of European informalism, Pierre Alechinsky (Brussels, 1927) was a member of the group CoBrA, along with other artists such as Asger Jorn o Karl AppelDeeply influenced by surrealism and expressionism, his works also mesh with that current which, well represented by Jean DubuffetHe believed he had discovered in traditional folklore, in certain forms of crafts, or in the plastic creations of children and the mentally ill, an uncontaminated purity capable of revitalizing the sclerotic world of institutional art.

Inks, watercolors, and engravings make up this great Retrospective of his work On Paper, to which the CBA dedicates two of its exhibition halls. The exhibition offers a broad overview of almost fifty years of work, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say play, since the playful aspect is always present in Alechinsky's approach. This catalogue, for its part, testifies to the Belgian artist's excellent relationship with the Spanish-speaking world: collaborator of Alberto Gironella, a good friend of Antonio Saura y Eduardo Arroyo placeholder image, Julio Cortazar, the same Saura and Octavio Paz They dedicated texts to him, which are reproduced here, along with a fascinating analysis of his work by Javier Arnaldo.