BRAQUE (Georges). - Lot 92

BRAQUE (Georges). Des dieux et déesses, ou hommage à Georges Braque et à ses sculptures précieuses. Paris, Bièvres: Pierre de Tartas, 1971. - Large folio, 570 x 382: 40 pp, (6 ff. last blank), illustrated cover. In sheets, in dark blue publisher's slipcase, decorated on the first cover with a gilded relief composition after Georges Braque. Monumental work designed and produced by Pierre de Tartas, in homage to Georges BRAQUE (1882-1963). It includes two texts: the speech given by André Malraux at Braque's funeral, in front of the Louvre colonnade, and a text by Hervé Alphand, French ambassador and secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Above all, the book is illustrated with 23 relief compositions "translated" by Henri-Michel Heger de Löwenfeld (1919-2000) from Braque's works, with the exception of a portrait of Braque by Aimé-Daniel Steinlen (1923-1996). These creations adorn the slipcase, cover and title page, and are divided between 4 full-page figures, 9 hors texte and 7 in the text. Of these 23 illustrations, 13 are gilded, including the one on the slipcase. Two of these gilded figures are highlighted in red and one in black, while the one on the title page is adorned in blue. The colophon reveals the extent of the craftsmanship that went into the birth of this publication: "This book required two years of research and study before it was born in the artistic and cultural center of the Moulin de Vauboyen in Bièvres, Essonne, in mid-June 1971. [...] Pierre Jean Mathan composed these pages by hand and printed them sheet by sheet, on his own presses. The Geoffroy foundries cast the 22 precious sculptures, which were entrusted to Messrs Desclais for delicate printing. To give these sculptures the preciousness and richness intended by3the artist, we used 23-carat titled fine gold, making them inalterable." Limited edition of 320 copies on Arches "Torchon" vellum, signed by Heger de Löwenfeld and the publisher, and stamped by the bailiff's office. The present copy is nominative, specially printed for the printer Pierre Jean Mathan, containing the definitive state of the illustrations. It has been enriched with this autograph letter signed by André Malraux: Pour Monsieur // Pierre Jean Mathan // bien cordialement // Ad. Malraux A very well preserved copy.