Rouault, Georges, illus.

Saurès, André.  Passion.  Paris: Ambroise Vollard, 1939



Folio (17  1/4  x 13 in.; 438 x 330 mm).  17 mixed etchings hors texte printed in color by Roger Lacourière (all but one signed with monogram 'GR' and dated 1935 or 1936 on the plate, 65 wood-engravings after Rouault by Georges Aubert, wood-engraved table of etchings, original pictorial wrappers bound in; some offsetting on title-page.  Black morocco binding with large red morocco onlays and indulating gilt decoration by J. Anthoine Legrain, the design continuing onto the dentelles, black suede linings, all edges gilt.  Chemise and slipcase; some wear.



 

Artist & the Book 272; Castleman, Century p. 22

Copy 14 of 40 copies on vergé Montval (of a whole edition of 270), signed by Rouault and with an extra suite of plates printed in black (4 of which are signed by Rouault in ink). 

"The passion of Christ is recounted by Saurès in dramatic-narrative form and illustrated by Rouault with an intensity of feeling usually equalled only in medieval art, which these plates often recall.  This was the last of Vollard's books to be published in his lifetime" (Artist & the Book).  The project was actually begun in 1927, but was fraught with difficulties, most importantly the lack of the special Montval paper that Vollard had decreed the only proper material for Rouault's images.