Jean Cocteau (1889–1963) — Taureaux Text by Jean-Marie Magnan Paris: Michèle Trinckvel, 1965 Original edition — one of 120 copies on Vélin de Rives An exceptional, complete example in mint condition of Jean Cocteau’s celebrated Taureaux, his final illustrated book and one of the most important graphic projects of the last period of his life. Published posthumously in Paris by Michèle Trinckvel in 1965, Taureaux was the last book illustrated by Jean Cocteau and is recorded by Luc Monod as having been completed only a few hours before Cocteau’s death on 11 October 1963. The work contains 32 original lithographs by Jean Cocteau, printed on the presses of the celebrated master lithographer Fernand Mourlot in Paris. The compositions are executed in color, black and sepia and include a frontispiece, title-frontispiece, full-page compositions and two double-page lithographs. Twenty-six of the lithographs bear Cocteau’s signature in the stone. The imagery is devoted to tauromachia, one of the recurring themes of Cocteau’s late work. Bulls, matadors and highly stylized figures are rendered through the extraordinarily economical, fluid and calligraphic line that became one of the artist’s most recognizable visual signatures. Edition The complete original edition was strictly limited to 200 numbered copies, divided according to paper and the presence of original drawings or additional suites: 16 copies on Japon nacré, numbered 1–16, with an original color drawing by Cocteau and additional suites on Grand Vélin d’Arches and Grand Vélin de Rives; 16 copies on Japon nacré, numbered 17–32, with an original drawing in black or sepia and additional suites; 48 copies on Vélin de Rives, numbered 33–80, accompanied by an additional suite on Grand Vélin d’Arches; 120 copies on Vélin de Rives, numbered 81–200, containing the definitive state of the illustrations. A small unspecified number of additional copies was reserved for collaborators of the edition. The present example belongs to this standard issue of only 120 numbered copies on Vélin de Rives, containing the complete definitive state of Cocteau’s lithographic cycle. Presentation The work is preserved in its original publication format, with the sheets issued loose, as intended, under the original illustrated wrapper and housed in the distinctive yellow cloth-covered publisher’s chemise and slipcase, lettered in red. Approximate sheet format: 39.5 × 29 cm. Publisher’s case approximately 41.4 × 31.1 cm. Condition Mint condition. The portfolio and its lithographic contents have been exceptionally well preserved, retaining their freshness, strong impressions and original presentation. Bibliographical reference Luc Monod, Manuel de l’Amateur de Livres Illustrés Modernes 1875–1975, no. 7626. Taureaux occupies a particularly significant position in Cocteau’s graphic oeuvre: conceived at the very end of his life, printed by Mourlot and produced in a total numbered edition of only 200 copies, it represents the culmination of his lifelong fascination with drawing, poetry, Mediterranean mythology and the spectacle of the bullfight. A complete, mint example of the 120-copy Vélin de Rives edition, retaining its original presentation and all 32 original Cocteau lithographs.