Les Vierges. Les Tombeaux. de RODENBACH, GEORGES - 1895

Paris: S. Bing,, 1895. Excellent. Paris: S. Bing, 1895. Two volumes, large octavos, contained in a modern gilt-lettered leather and board chemise and slipcase. Each is in its original binding of white or black moiré silk over boards with large wrap- around band illustrated with a braceleted hand holding a flower. First volume splitting at end of spine; the white silk a little darkened and small repaired tear at bottom of front cover. Second volume with some rubbing at top of spine and top edge. Plates and text printed on one side of folded page in the Japanese manner. An excellent set of an exquisite work. Les Vierges is illustrated with four color lithographs with a calm, simple decorative rhythm in clear pastel colors by Rippl-Ronai, Hungarian associate of the Nabis group; Les Tombeau with three woodcuts in an archaic style by James Pitcairn-Knowles, friend of Rippl-Ronai, who introduced him to the Nabis painters. The publisher, Samuel Bing, was the owner of the Paris gallery "L’Art Nouveau Bing" which promoted the Japanese taste in France and the Art Nouveau style. He commissioned Rodenbach, a Belgian Symbolist poet and novelist influenced by Mallarmé, to write stories based on the illustrations. The Turn of the Century ,64. From Manet to Hockney ,12. Hoffstätter, p. 260. An illustration can be found on my website by clicking on Catalogue 31 (item 67). Silk Over Boards. About Fine. Illus. by Rippl-Ronai and Pitcairn-Knowles... Large 8vo.