Signed; Henri Matisse / Charles d'Orleans - Poèmes de Charles d’Orléans - 1950

Henri Matisse — Poèmes de Charles d’Orléans
Paris, Tériade Éditeur, 1950
Large folio, loose as issued, near mint condition with a total of 100 litographs signed by Matisse
A video of the entire portfolio is available here:
https://youtu.be/ovngfogRwWU?feature=shared

Magnificent example of the celebrated illustrated book created by Henri Matisse in collaboration with the eminent art publisher Tériade. Printed in 1950 at the ateliers Mourlot Frères, this edition stands among the most important artist’s books of the 20th century.

Edition
Limited edition of 1,200 numbered copies on specially prepared Arches vellum, plus 30 hors-commerce.
Each copy is signed in pencil by Henri Matisse on the justification page.
This copy is No. 899/1200, bearing the authentic H. Matisse graphite signature.

Contents

54 original colour lithographs by Henri Matisse
46 hors text litographs
A total of 100 Original litographs

Full lithographed calligraphic text executed by the artist

Lithographed front cover and title pages

All sheets loose within the original covers, as issued

Printing & Technique

Colour lithographs printed by Mourlot Frères, the leading atelier of modern masters

Text and images reproduced lithographically from Matisse’s handwritten manuscript

Impressions are exceptionally fresh, with strong, clean lines and vivid colours

Condition
Near mint condition.
Bright, unfaded colours; exceptionally clean sheets; crisp Arches vellum; no tears, losses, or foxing.
Lithographed covers sharp and fresh.
A very well-preserved and notably clean example of this important edition.

Significance
Poèmes de Charles d’Orléans is a cornerstone of Matisse’s late work and one of the finest artist’s books issued by Tériade. Combining drawing, colour, ornament and handwritten text, it exemplifies the purity and refinement of Matisse’s late graphic style. Complete, signed, and in near-mint state, copies of this quality are increasingly scarce on the market.

Bibliographic note (standard form)
Henri Matisse, Poèmes de Charles d’Orléans, Paris: Tériade, 1950. Large folio on Arches vellum; 54 colour lithographs; signed exemplaire n° 899/1200. Printed by Mourlot Frères.
Sent tracked and insured