Agonie du Général Krivitski
A rare and highly sought-after edition, Agonie du Général Krivitski marks a highlight in the collaboration between the poet André Frénaud and the visionary artist André Masson. Published by Pierre Jean Oswald in 1960, this work combines Frénaud’s powerful text with Masson's expressionistic and vibrant illustrations. The original etching, reserved for the deluxe copies, and the five full-page drawings testify to a profound artistic dialogue that is rare in 20th-century book production. The book is a crucial example of an artist's book and demonstrates the aesthetic connection between text and image in a unique format. Its printing on Arches paper, signed by both authors, makes it a coveted collector's item for enthusiasts of poetry and modern art.
Quantity
Frenaud, André
Masson, André
Agonie du Général Krivitski
1960 | Paris | Pierre Jean Oswald
This copy is a rare, signed large-paper edition of a key work that demonstrates the profound synergy between Frénaud's poetic text and Masson's expressionistic art.
A rare and highly sought-after edition, Agonie du Général Krivitski marks a highlight in the collaboration between the poet André Frénaud and the visionary artist André Masson. Published by Pierre Jean Oswald in 1960, this work combines Frénaud’s powerful text with Masson's expressionistic and vibrant illustrations. The original etching, reserved for the deluxe copies, and the five full-page drawings testify to a profound artistic dialogue that is rare in 20th-century book production. The book is a crucial example of an artist's book and demonstrates the aesthetic connection between text and image in a unique format. Its printing on Arches paper, signed by both authors, makes it a coveted collector's item for enthusiasts of poetry and modern art.
€550
Condition Report:
In-Depth Study
References & Bibliography
Format
In-4 (Quarto) approx. 25 × 32 cm
Edition Particulars
One of 60 copies on Arches, signed by the authors
Print Run
60
Copy Number
20
Paper
Arches
Inscription
Signed by the Author,Signed by the Illustrator
Product DETAIL
The work presents a poetic exploration of the death and suffering of a fictional general, Krivitski. Frénaud's text is laden with existentialist themes and reflects on the human condition, war, and the decline of power. The poetry is somber and introspective, offering a profound meditation on human struggle. It addresses the internal conflict and inevitable downfall of a military leader, with the work's title directly referencing this central theme. The themes of the work align with post-war French literature, which often explored the psychological consequences of conflict.
Derain, André
Amis & Amille. Mystère du XIVe siècle.
This sumptuously bound book brings a medieval mystery to life through a rare collaboration between ancient literature and modern illustration. The geometric box design on garnet morocco provides striking contrast. André Derain’s 22 color lithographs – including one double and three full-page – enhance the narrative with expressive visual force. Printed on Rives vellum in an edition of 180 numbered copies, this copy (No. 72) was made for Baroness Vaxelaire and includes a suite on fine Japanese paper. The binding by Lucie Weill exemplifies artisanal excellence. A harmonious blend of narrative tradition and graphic daring.
Illustrated Book
€1,460
Michaux, Henri · Bettencourt, Pierre
Arriver à se réveiller
A rare first edition of Arriver à se réveiller, written by Henri Michaux in the tremulous post-war years. The text unfolds as an inward journey toward lucidity, where sleep and waking mirror each other. Printed and published by Pierre Bettencourt in his own workshop, the edition’s small run preserves the work’s intimacy. The title-page vignette, a linocut by Bettencourt, sets a spare, rhythmic visual key that amplifies Michaux’s vigilant, vulnerable tone. This copy is handsomely bound in brown morocco with balsa boards by Miguet, a tactile nod to lightness under tension. For bibliophiles, it is an exemplary union of poetry, craft, and experiment. The volume embodies the independence of the post-war small press and Michaux’s radical sensitivity.
Illustrated Book
€680
Char, Rene · Stael, Nicolas de
Arrière-histoire du poème pulvérisé
*Arrière-histoire du poème pulvérisé* is a later illustrated edition of a key text in which René Char looks back on the genesis and inner background of *Le Poème pulvérisé*. Published in 1972 by Imprimerie Union, it opens with a colour frontispiece by Nicolas de Staël. The pairing of Char and de Staël is especially charged: two post-war voices, each seeking concentration, clarity, and rupture in his own medium. This copy is one of only six hors commerce copies on Arches and is signed. The autograph presentation inscription to Doctor Marcel Zara, with poetic quotation and October 1972 dating, makes it a deeply personal copy.
Illustrated Book
€920
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