[L’Ensorcelée]
One of only 12 copies in this state, before the symphonic margins were suppressed and the plates reduced.
These engravings were made spontaneously by Félix Buhot, without commission, following his meeting with Barbey d’Aurevilly in 1872. The enthusiastic novelist introduced him to Alphonse Lemerre, who included these plates in the illustrated edition of L’Ensorcelée in the Œuvres complètes (1878–1889). L’Ensorcelée, or La Messe de la Croix-Jugan, was first published as a serial in L’Assemblée nationale from 7 January to 11 February 1852, and in book form under its definitive title by Cadot in 1855.
Buhot’s suite comprises:
“Le Pâtre”
“Un Chemin de perdition”
“Elle venait lentement”
“Thomas Le Hardouay”
“La Vision”
“L’Enterrement”
Superb prints, printed with tinted ground. Barbey, won over, wrote that Buhot “dreamed with a mind identical to [his own].” Bénézit further underlines “the intense expression of his prints and his profound understanding of the effects of light and shadow.”
A rare complete suite, in remarkable condition.
Bourcard & Goodfriend (nos. 85–90).