The Origin of a Style
The city of Angoulême saw the birth, on May 29, 1974, of the French painter Éric Mazzarese, known as Le Zèbre.
Born into an Italian family, he settled in the Bordeaux region in 1995 to study metalwork—carefree years, rich in youthful freedom and creative awakening.
A Vivid Imagination from Childhood
As a child, he escaped into museums and books, fascinated by ancient worlds. He soaked in images, stories, and atmospheres that would nourish his inner world. An artistic identity began to take shape—intuitive, free, nonconformist.
Art became more than an expression: it became a necessity, a language, a means of survival.
A Unique Journey, An Evolving Painting Style
The son of a metal turner, Éric inherited humility and simplicity from his family roots. At school, he shone in the subjects that stirred his curiosity, while others faded into the background.
Later in life, a clear decision emerged: he would become a painter.
His artistic path began with acrylic painting, drawn by its spontaneity and vibrant energy. But soon, he turned to oil painting, seeking a medium that allowed more depth, subtlety, and time to bring emotions and textures to life. Today, oil paint has become his primary tool of expression.
Art as Memory, the Power of Connection
His work reflects a lost yet intimate nature, revived on canvas with tenderness and intensity. Viewers are invited to imagine their own story—one that resonates with the emotional undercurrents of his art.
Le Zèbre is more than a nickname—it’s a mark, a presence.
A tribute to the animal that appears in nearly every painting.
Because Le Zèbre is, above all, a story of encounter.