La Tentation de Saint Antoine

Vol. In-Folio 45,2x34,2 cm., 205 pp.Edition of 220 copies including a xylographic vignette, 14 xylographic illustrations (on heads and footers of chapters) and 22 original lithographs on China Paper collected in a separate suite.One of 145 copies on Vélin d’Arches, with jacket and slipcase in half cloth and marbleized cardboard plates. Nog on spine in gilt.Xylographs were executed by Georges Aubert.Fourth edition of this masterpiece of book illustration.The first was commissioned by Edmond Deman in 1888; the second was issued in 1889; the third was planned and executed by Ambrose Vollard in 1896, in only 50 copies. The same Vollard decided to republish it in a bigger and more sophisticated edition, enriched by the woodcuts realized by Aubert in 1910.Despite the date on frontispiece (1933) this edition was issued after Vollard’s death, in 1939.A very fine copy in wonderful conditions, with contemporary slipcase on grey cloth.This very popular brief Novel by Flaubert tells the story of the hermit Anthony (Saint Anthony) tormented by devil’s temptations and then saved by Christ’s Image shown in a rising sun (which also represent’s one of the most famous modern representations of Christ).