KUPKA, František, and LECONTE DE LISLE, Charles Marie René. - Lot 221

KUPKA, František, and LECONTE DE LISLE, Charles Marie René. *The Erinyes*. An Ancient Tragedy by Leconte de Lisle. Twenty-two exquisite original etchings by the future master of abstraction, in a binding by Georges Frédéric Canape. Paris, Romagnol, 1908. In-4, fawn half-maroquin with corners edged in a gold fillet, smooth spine adorned with a longitudinal design featuring palmettes, gold fillets, and a Greek frieze at the top and bottom, upper edge gilt, untrimmed, covers and spine preserved. Binding by Canape. 89 pp., 25 etchings, including 3 full-page plates. Spines very slightly worn, slight scuffing on the lower corners. A very fine edition of this ancient tragedy, illustrated with 25 original etchings by François Kupka (1871–1957), including 3 full-page plates and 11 woodcut compositions, some enhanced with gold. Limited edition of 300 copies; this is one of the 190 numbered copies on Arches paper (No. 190). In this edition, Kupka offers a perfect demonstration of his skillful mastery of etching and aquatint. The engravings are imbued with great depth and a variety of tones, while reflecting the artist’s personal style, influenced by the Vienna Secession —in terms of line—and by the rediscovery of Greek and Cretan art, notably as seen in the “Dame d’Auxerre” at the Louvre and the frescoes at Knossos. Complete copy of the subscription prospectus (6 unnumbered folios), bound at the end. In very good condition with an attractive binding featuring a Greek-inspired spine by Georges Frédéric Canape (1864–1940).