Lot n° 249
Estimation :
1500 - 2000
EUR
249. DENIS (Maurice, ill.). The imitation of Jesus Christ. P - Lot 249
249. DENIS (Maurice, ill.). The imitation of Jesus Christ. Paris, Ambroise Vollard, 1903. Gd in-4, xiii, 456 p., [1] f., followed by its suite on China, then the specimen. Superb signed binding in raspberry morocco with rich identical decoration on both boards. A large Christian cross of eggplant morocco mosaic and decorated in its center with a cross pattée Templar type covered with gold, placed on a gold circle surrounded by 2 crowns of tiny gold lines. From this center radiates a shower of gold rays, a pattern of 4 gold fan-shaped fillets arranged in circles around the gold cross, patterns that become larger and larger and eventually flare to the edges of the plates. Long spine titled and crossed vertically with golden chevrons. All edges gilt. Lining of gilt silk woven with purple religious motifs. Double endpapers of handmade marbled paper. Covers and spine on board. Raspberry morocco spine folder, band and flaps. Spine titled with illustrator's name, cold-stamped crosses, lined slipcase (Cretté, successor of Marius Michel). Binding by Cretté, successor of Marius Michel. Work printed on the presses of the Imprimerie Nationale at 400 numbered copies, ours is one of the 25 copies on Chine with a suite of illustrations before the letter, after 5 on japon. It is illustrated with 216 woodcuts drawn by Maurice Denis. The woodcut was executed by the syndicate of wood engravers under the direction of the artist and Tony Beltrand. Although published in 1903, the compositions of Maurice Denis were executed from 1893 to 1899. The reproduction of the drawings was a real challenge to the skill of the sixty or so craftsmen who worked on them. All of the woods were destroyed after printing. We learn from the specimen that copy number 1 of this work was offered to Pope Leo XIII.
"One of the best productions of Maurice Denis, well inspired in illustrating this book in black," according to Carteret.
Superb binding, superb illustration, superb condition.
(Carteret, Illustrated IV, p. 214; Monod I, 6262)
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