Antique Prints, Maps, & Books of Natural History, Botanicals, & More
Lot 1491:
Description
This lovely work written by Jules Renard and illustrated by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec is entitled
Histoires naturelles. The work was published in Paris by H. Floury in 1899.
The volume is bound with illustrated original softcover. It includes 22 original lithographs by Toulouse-Lautrec.
This is one of only 100 copies published, this being number 49. Garvey notes it is "Now one of the greatest rarities of the 19th century." (Garvey 304) It is one of the most celebrated and sough-after of all artist books.
Renard’s
Histoire naturelles "contains some of Toulouse Lautrec’s most refined draftsmanship and, with Yvette Guilbert, it is considered one of the masterpieces of the illustrated book. It was Lautrec who requested the pleasure of illustrating Renard’s bestiary, and Renard agreed, hoping for descriptions that ‘would please the animals themselves.’ The two creative personalities clashed. Lautrec resented the book’s limitation to mundane animals, while Renard, although paid homage to by a cover design of a fox, objected to a number of Lautrec’s drawings… Today we are amazed that it took Floury twenty years to sell out the edition of 100 copies." (Donson/Gripp)
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901) was a very talented artist. However in 1899, at the age of 35, he was suffering from dementia and alcoholism (likely brought on by syphillis). He was institutionalized and began this series of circus drawings there from memory. Because of the skill and detail in his work, the doctors decided his health had improved and earned his release after just three months of which Toulouse-Lautrec noted “I bought my freedom with my drawings."
Pierre-Jules Renard (1864-1910) was a French author and member of the Académie Goncourt. His most famous works are
Les Histoires Naturelles (featured here),
Poil de carotte,
Le plaisir de rompre,
L’ écornifleur, and
Huit jours à la campagne.
Paper Size: ~ 9" by 12 1/2"
Paper Type or Special Features: Book with 22 Original Lithographs (Rare, 1 of 100 ever published)
Condition report:
The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. The block is broken, slats detached. Otherwise clean example. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox marks to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.
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