Descente aux enfers
This rare and luxuriously bound copy of 'Descente aux enfers' combines the literary depth of Marcel Jouhandeau with the abstract power of Georges Braque's lithographs. It is a key work within illustrated books of the mid-20th century, where the unique artistic visions of author and illustrator mutually reinforce each other. The rich, handcrafted binding by Michel Kieffer, exhibiting a striking mosaic design, elevates this work far beyond an ordinary edition, making it an object of exceptional aesthetic and bibliophilic value. The complex composition of the binding, with its interlocking shapes and colours, reflects the abstract and organic forms Braque often employed in his work, making the binding an integral part of the book's artistic expression. This makes it not only a literary or artistic artefact, but a total art experience. The visual dialogue between the text, the illustrations and the binding creates a unique and immersive object that celebrates both the master binder's hand and the essence of Cubism and Braque's abstract art.
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Jouhandeau, Marcel
Braque, Georges
Descente aux enfers
1961 | Paris | Nouveau Cercle parisien du Livre
A rare and masterfully illustrated work by Jouhandeau and Braque, in an exceptional Michel Kieffer binding.
This rare and luxuriously bound copy of 'Descente aux enfers' combines the literary depth of Marcel Jouhandeau with the abstract power of Georges Braque's lithographs. It is a key work within illustrated books of the mid-20th century, where the unique artistic visions of author and illustrator mutually reinforce each other. The rich, handcrafted binding by Michel Kieffer, exhibiting a striking mosaic design, elevates this work far beyond an ordinary edition, making it an object of exceptional aesthetic and bibliophilic value. The complex composition of the binding, with its interlocking shapes and colours, reflects the abstract and organic forms Braque often employed in his work, making the binding an integral part of the book's artistic expression. This makes it not only a literary or artistic artefact, but a total art experience. The visual dialogue between the text, the illustrations and the binding creates a unique and immersive object that celebrates both the master binder's hand and the essence of Cubism and Braque's abstract art.
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Condition Report:
In-Depth Study
References & Bibliography
Format
In-4 (Quarto) approx. 25 × 32 cm
Edition Particulars
One of 30 copies reserved for the author, artist, and collaborators.
Print Run
200
Paper
vélin de Rives
Inscription
Signed by the Author,Signed by the Illustrator
Product DETAIL
Descente aux enfers' explores existential themes and the human condition, often focusing on psychological depth and moral dilemmas. Jouhandeau's prose is known for its sharp observations and introspective style, taking the reader on a journey into the depths of the soul. The work balances on the edge of realism and symbolism, with inner struggles and complex relationships between characters at its core. The title itself, 'Descente aux enfers' (Descent into Hell), indicates a confrontation with the darker sides of existence, often accompanied by a search for redemption or insight. It is a work that invites the reader to reflect on fundamental questions of good and evil, love and suffering, and the fragility of human life, wrapped in rich and evocative language.
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.
