PHÈDRE
Lavish limited edition of Racine's Phèdre, the first edition with glowing color lithographs by Hugo.
Very good plus in good slipcase.
Price: $200.00
PHÈDRE
"One of the secrets of Hugo's art is his grasp of the everyday occurrence which catches no-one's attention, coupled with his ability to transpose it into something special and noteworthy." (Wattenmaker)
A beautiful edition of Racine's drama, illustrated by Jean Hugo following his earlier set and costume designs for the play's 1939 production at the Comedie Française. The artist – a frequent collaborator with Jean Cocteau, great-grandson of Victor Hugo, and onetime spouse of artist Valentine Hugo – also cut an impressive and intimidating figure in later life: "Jean Hugo was a tall, famously seductive patriarch with white hair en brosse, eyes as commanding as Casanova's, and a fondness for those wide-wale corduroy suits that arists like Courbet and Cézanne used to wear" (John Richardson).
Read more: Richardson, The Sorcerer's Apprentice; Richard Wattenmaker, The Art of Jean Hugo.
The Object
First printing. (Paris): Éditions Pierre Tisné, (1946). 11'' x 8.5''. Original paper wrappers, portfolio style (i.e. unbound gatherings), as issued. In original paper-covered clamshell box. Lithographs by Mourlot Frères. Edition of 436, of which 400 numbered copies were printed on vélin Lana Bélier; this copy no. 140. Text in French. 122, [2] pages. Moderate foxing to wrappers. Some foxing and bits of staining to box, wear at joints.
The Fine Print
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