Dada, Surrealism, War and its Aftermath 1935-1955
The Artists’ books in this gallery reflect the creativity and optimism of publishers, such as Ambroise Vollard, Albert Skira, and Tériade who, both before and after World War II, created ambitious and complex volumes with some of the greatest artists of the era. In contrast, however, the content of a number of books reflects the period of the 1930s and 1940s as a time of economic depression and a world war, followed by an uneasy peace. The variety of materials used in the construction of the books, from the simplest pamphlet clandestinely made in Paris under the occupying noses of the Nazis to luxurious volumes where no expense was spared, display their individuality and idiosyncratic nature during this period.
Prométhée by Goethe
Book with 16 color lithographs on Marais wove paper; loose within brown wove paper wrappers with lithograph on cover.
Henry Moore (English, 1898-1986). Author: Goethe. Printers: Imprimerie Nationale de France (French), Mourlot Frères (French). Translator: André Gide (French). Published by: PA Nicaise Editeur, 1951.
Gift of the Reva a nd David Logan Foundation
Dialogues by Lucien de Samosate
Book with 33 woodcuts (including cover; 32 color) on Arches wove paper; loose in cream wrappers with title/author and illustration on front cover.
Une saison en enfer les déserts de l'amour les illuminations
Book with 24 etchings and aquatints on Auvergne pur chiffon a la main paper, watermarked with the Fleur de lin, du Moulin Favier, Ã Lagat.
Source entière (Whole Source) by André Frénaud
Book with 5 lithographs (4 color) on laid Annan paper, text on China paper; book, slipcase and chemise in black cloth and red paper sides.
Air Mexicain by Benjamin Péret
Book with 4 lithographs on Rives wove paper; bound in boards covered with dyed snakeskin cover and endpapers (red,brown and orange), title in gold.
