VIRGILE - GIRALDON Adolphe. Les Eglogues.

Paris, Plon-Nourrit & Cie, 1906.

Look, dear reader, at the excised vignettes, the fine landscapes placed at the head of the Eclogues, delicate illuminations of a poetic missal, fresh reveries that recall Corot, simple and serious visions that make one think of Puvis de Chavannes. Here are views of dawn, distant hills gilded by the first caress of the young sun, pearly waters all teeming with the first breaths of morning…
(Extract from the preface of the Eclogues by Emile Gebhart.)

In-4 (330x225mm) of [6]ff. + 67pp. + [4]ff. in unbound notebooks, folded cover with gilt title.
Original publisher's slipcase in cloth with cover title reproduced in gold. Print page with frames, frontispiece, framed title page, preface introduced by a medallion of the portrait of Virgil with frames and 10 chapters all composed of a false title illustrated in a medallion, a header with a bucolic landscape in color engraved on wood and a tailpiece. All the texts are framed. The typography was designed by the artist. Magnificent performance by Giraldon in the art nouveau style.

Limited edition of 300 copies, here Tribute copy No. 320.

This book is a true graphic demonstration for Adolphe Giraldon. Virgil's Latin texts are framed by decorations of great artistic value. In particular the landscapes at the chapter header which impress with their finesse and their colors in a harmonious pastel palette. We find all the honiric realism that characterizes the artist's work.

For more information:
the book fully digitized on the BNF website:
https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k1075066d/f15.planchecontact

The artist's Wikipedia page:
https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolphe_Giraldon

Condition: small tear at the bottom of the paper cover. Dirty box with defects on the inside of the flaps. Otherwise, a copy in excellent condition. The cover and interior have almost no defects.