Pierre Louÿs / Henri Caruchet - Byblis [1/10 de tête sur Japon colorié par l'artiste + aquarelle originale de Caruchet + suite] - 1901

Paris, A. Ferroud, 1901
In-8 (240x170mm) of [1] f., 1 watercolor, I-XVI, 46 pages, [2] ff.

Half morocco binding with gilt corners and fillets. The covers are made of bluish marbled paper. Spine with five raised bands, gilt fillet on the bands, and a gilt title piece. Endpapers and flyleaves in marbled paper.

Limited edition of 300 copies. Copy No. 11.
Copies of a head sketch on colored Japanese paper by the artist, with:
A black series on China
An original watercolor by Henri Caruchet
Subscription booklet
after the unique paper copy on Whatman paper.

The draw details are more precise on the subscription form.

The book consists of 44 art nouveau-style compositions and an illustrated cover. Floral arrangements or staged scenes of the story's characters.

One of Caruchet's most sensitive works, where the fragility of his line work enhances the tragic aspect of the story. Symmetrical compositions follow one another with forms and characters featuring more relaxed traits, set against a backdrop of finely chosen pastel colors.

Pierre Louis recounts with all his sensitivity the myth of Ovid: Byblis. An impossible love between Caunos and Byblis, a nymph who, in despair, turned herself into a fountain.

The text itself speaks for itself: 'It seems that Mr. Pierre Louÿs thinks differently. When he talks to us about a landscape, the scenery is independent of humans. It has its own existence. The tree, the stream, the pond are lively beings that the poet cherishes for themselves because they are verdant, harmonious, or pure, and if a voice happens to be heard, coming from a spring or singing between two stones, it is not his mortal feelings whose echo he believes he perceives, but the sound of the words entrusted to him by the nymphs that have emerged.'

State:
The marbled paper of the demi marocain features a 1cm tear at the bottom of the outer cover. There is a stain on the watercolor board and tracing. Stains on the preserved fourth cover. And a stain on the edge of the last white pages starting from the fourth cover. Overall, in good condition.

For more information:
Digitized book on the BNF website: https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k1520185c.r=byblis%20caruchet?rk=21459;2

Artist's Wikipedia
Henri Caruchet was a French politician and trade unionist. Born on March 15, 1920, in Roubaix, he was active in the French Resistance during World War II. After the war, he became involved in the labor movement, notably with the General Confederation of Labour (CGT). Caruchet served as a deputy in the French National Assembly from 1967 to 1968. He was known for his commitment to workers' rights and social justice. Caruchet passed away on July 10, 1984, leaving behind a legacy of activism and dedication to the labor cause.

The ReportArt channel dedicated a video to the book.
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Also, a video about Henri Caruchet:
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