ICART, Louis and DUMAS FILS, Alexandre. La Dame aux Camélias - Lot 211

ICART, Louis and DUMAS FILS, Alexandre. La Dame aux Camélias. One of Alexandre Dumas' masterpieces on large paper, substantially illustrated in color by the famous engraver Louis Icart. Paris, Francis Guillot, s.d. [1938]. In-4, half-chagrin with corners, spine decorated with four faux nerfs, gilt title and gilt camellia finial, top edge gilt. 246 pp. - 2 ff.n.ch, 25 color etchings including a frontispiece. Some rubbing from use and slight diffuse white trace on the leather of the upper cover. Limited edition of 200 copies, this one of 175 on vélin d'arches (n°43) after 25 Japons de tête. This classic French work is illustrated here with 25 color aquatint etchings by Louis Icart (1888-1950), who confirms his reputation as the "painter and engraver of the Parisienne". This rocaille artist of the early twentieth century shines in this book, where each plate is admirable for its sensitive, material touch, lightness of line, gentle transitions and hues, an artistic dytic made possible by this well-mastered technique. A fine limited-edition copy in good condition.