Parallèlement
Bonnard. Verlaine, P[aul]
Paris. Imprimerie Nationale / Ambroise Vollard Editeur. 1900
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Pierre Bonnard' masterpiece illustrating Verlaine's poems and one of the finest modern illustrated books.
From the edition limited to 200 copies, with this one of 171 on Hollande van Gelder with the watermark 'PARALLELEMENT'.
This copy with the vignette of the Imprimerie Nationale for the front wrapper and title as well as the privilège of M. le Garde des Sceaux ('Imprimé par Décision Spéciale / de M. le Garde des Sceaux, Ministre de la Justice'); all of these details were altered or replaced when it was perceived that the book was not a mathematical text.
'An epoch-making book ...'. (The Artist & the Book 1860 - 1960).
'It is hardly surprising that Ambroise Vollard thought of Bonnard to illustrate Verlaine's Parallèlement. He knew already the artist's drawings for Marie; and he had seen the painting Indolence, a drawing of which is actually included in this work ... Bonnard invented a very free style of composition to complement Verlaine's poems; the lithographs stray into and around the verses themselves and curve out again into the margins, voluptuous and tender images whose powers of suggestion miraculously enhance the poet's art.' (Pierre Bonnard, Gallimard).
'Vollard who was the friend of all the best painters of his day, spared nothing in his efforts to publish Verlaine's Parallèlement in a magnificent edition: an imposing format, impressive lithographs, the large and elegant Garamond italic type, recently recast by the Imprimerie Nationale; and finally, the prominent role played by the illustrations. On each page, the tender and sensual lithographs ... overflow their bounderies and pour into the margins, pink as the early light of morning, marking indelibly the dawn of the twentieth century in the history of the printed book.' (Guignard, Le Livre, 1942).
[Bouvet 73; From Manet to Hockney 17; Logan 11; The Artist & the Book 27; Castleman pp. 86/7].
From the edition limited to 200 copies, with this one of 171 on Hollande van Gelder with the watermark 'PARALLELEMENT'.
This copy with the vignette of the Imprimerie Nationale for the front wrapper and title as well as the privilège of M. le Garde des Sceaux ('Imprimé par Décision Spéciale / de M. le Garde des Sceaux, Ministre de la Justice'); all of these details were altered or replaced when it was perceived that the book was not a mathematical text.
'An epoch-making book ...'. (The Artist & the Book 1860 - 1960).
'It is hardly surprising that Ambroise Vollard thought of Bonnard to illustrate Verlaine's Parallèlement. He knew already the artist's drawings for Marie; and he had seen the painting Indolence, a drawing of which is actually included in this work ... Bonnard invented a very free style of composition to complement Verlaine's poems; the lithographs stray into and around the verses themselves and curve out again into the margins, voluptuous and tender images whose powers of suggestion miraculously enhance the poet's art.' (Pierre Bonnard, Gallimard).
'Vollard who was the friend of all the best painters of his day, spared nothing in his efforts to publish Verlaine's Parallèlement in a magnificent edition: an imposing format, impressive lithographs, the large and elegant Garamond italic type, recently recast by the Imprimerie Nationale; and finally, the prominent role played by the illustrations. On each page, the tender and sensual lithographs ... overflow their bounderies and pour into the margins, pink as the early light of morning, marking indelibly the dawn of the twentieth century in the history of the printed book.' (Guignard, Le Livre, 1942).
[Bouvet 73; From Manet to Hockney 17; Logan 11; The Artist & the Book 27; Castleman pp. 86/7].
[76 leaves including initial and final blank leaves; pp. (viii), 139, (v)]. 4to. (308 x 256 mm). Leaf with 'privilège', half title with justification verso, title with 'Imprimerie Nationale' vignette and 109 original lithographs by Bonnard printed in rose and 9 wood-cut vignettes after Bonnard printed in black; leaves uncut at foot and outer edges. Full blue crushed morocco by Gruel with his signature gilt, boards with triple gilt rules and floral corner pieces, banded spine with gilt decoration and title in six compartments, board edges and turn-ins ruled in gilt, rose pink silk moiré doublures and end papers, t.e.g., original publisher's wrappers and backstrip retained, marbled board slipcase.
#42036
