Hélène chez Archimède
€3,500.00
Hélène chez Archimède is a remarkable example of the collaboration between a poet and a visual artist, in this case the French author André Suarès and the legendary Spanish master Pablo Picasso. The edition, illustrated with wood engravings, reveals the complex interplay between word and image that culminated in the production of illustrated books in the mid-20th century. This work, originally a project by the famous art dealer Ambroise Vollard, shows the enduring relevance of classical themes, here the myth of Helen, in a modernist context. Thanks to its careful execution and the exclusivity of its print run, Hélène chez Archimède is not only a literary work but also an art object, a testament to the artisanal perfection sought by the Nouveau Cercle parisien du Livre. It represents a significant moment in the history of the modern illustrated book, where the line between illustration and autonomous art blurs. The additions to this copy, such as a menu and an announcement leaflet, enrich its bibliographic and historical value and offer a rare glimpse into its publication context.
Quantity
Suarès, André
ILLUSTRATORS
ILLUSTRATORS
ILLUSTRATORS
Hélène chez Archimède
1955 | Paris | Nouveau Cercle parisien du Livre
A posthumously published masterpiece in the Vollard tradition, with 22 wood engravings by Picasso.
Hélène chez Archimède is a remarkable example of the collaboration between a poet and a visual artist, in this case the French author André Suarès and the legendary Spanish master Pablo Picasso. The edition, illustrated with wood engravings, reveals the complex interplay between word and image that culminated in the production of illustrated books in the mid-20th century. This work, originally a project by the famous art dealer Ambroise Vollard, shows the enduring relevance of classical themes, here the myth of Helen, in a modernist context. Thanks to its careful execution and the exclusivity of its print run, Hélène chez Archimède is not only a literary work but also an art object, a testament to the artisanal perfection sought by the Nouveau Cercle parisien du Livre. It represents a significant moment in the history of the modern illustrated book, where the line between illustration and autonomous art blurs. The additions to this copy, such as a menu and an announcement leaflet, enrich its bibliographic and historical value and offer a rare glimpse into its publication context.
€3,500
Condition Report:
In-Depth Study
References & Bibliography
Format
Grand folio > 40 cm
Edition Particulars
Numbered edition.
Print Run
140
Copy Number
14
Paper
Montval vélin
Inscription
No inscription
1
Edition Particulars:
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Print Run:
Condition Report:
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Product DETAIL
Hélène chez Archimède tells the story of Helen and Archimedes in a poetic and mythical context. André Suarès brings the two figures from different historical eras together to create a philosophical and profound conversation about beauty, knowledge, and the search for truth. The text is rich in classical and symbolic references, exploring the complexity of human experience and the timeless dilemmas of humanity. The work can be considered a contemplation on the relationship between the human mind and the physical world, with Helen as the personification of beauty and the senses, while Archimedes represents reason and science. The narrative structure is not linear, and the verses are characterized by a rhythmic, almost musical cadence. All of this makes it a work that invites both literary and philosophical reflection.
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