Pierre Choderlos de Laclos / Paul-Émile Bécat - Les Liaisons Dangereuses - 1949

Superb numbered and illustrated specimen of 26 beautiful original plates hors texte colored by stencil by Paul-Émile Bécat. This masterpiece of French literature, which delicately and boldly depicts the romantic intrigues and manipulations of two libertines, the Viscount de Valmont and the Marquise de Merteuil -

The epistolary novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos tells the libertine intrigues of the Marquise de Merteuil and the Viscount de Valmont -

These two cynical and calculating aristocrats use seduction as a weapon to manipulate and destroy others. They set their sights on young Cécile de Volanges, freshly out of the convent, whom they wish to corrupt -

Valmont also pursues Lady Tourvel, a virtuous married woman, whom he seeks to conquer despite her moral resistance. The exchanged letters reveal a refined strategy of lies, betrayals, and cruelties -

Love is reduced to a tool of power and pleasure becomes synonymous with vengeance. The intrigues ultimately turn against their instigators -

Valmont dies in a duel after being betrayed by Merteuil. The Marquise sees her reputation ruined by the disclosure of her compromising letters -

The work denounces the decadence of the aristocracy on the eve of the French Revolution. It exposes the fragility of libertine calculations in the face of social and moral forces. It offers an uncompromising portrait of domination in relationships and the perversity of seductive games -

Pierre Choderlos de Laclos / Paul-Émile Bécat - Dangerous Liaisons - 1949 - Volume I and II - Éditions Athéna -
266 and 268 pages.

Bindings in good condition, paperbacks with illustrated and gilted covers, note the absence of the slipcase but the presence of the common cardboard cover in red suede under protection of cellophane, light wear, smooth backs illustrated and titled in red -

Very good interior condition, nice drop caps, tailpieces, works enriched with 26 beautiful original hors texte plates colored by stencil by Paul-Émile Bécat, numbered edition on Rives paper, copy no. 328, fresh -

Delivery service guaranteed within a few days -