Rabelais, Pantagruel, illustrated by Derain, Paris, 1943, original wrappers

RABELAIS, FRANÇOIS

Les horribles et espovantables faictz et prouesses du très renommé Pantagruel, roy des Dipsodes, fils du grand géant Gargantua. Composé nouvellement par Maitre Alcofrybas Nasier. Orné de bois en couleurs dessinés et gravés par André Derain. Paris: Albert Skira, 1943

4to (343 x 278mm.), copy no. 145 from a limited edition of 275 copies on vélin de Rives, signed by the artist below the limitation, numerous coloured woodcut illustrations and initials by Derain, loose as issued in wrappers with a printed title label to upper cover, card cover and slipcase, slipcase worn

A colourful edition of Rabelais with playful illustrations in a bold primitive style by the printmaker André Derain, some of which resemble early playing card designs. Derain's illustrations were commissioned by Albert Skira in Geneva, and he worked with the master printer Roger Lacourière; unusually the colours were printed together at the same time, after being applied to the woodblock by hand. It is considered to be one of Derain's greatest artistic achievements, particularly given the challenging circumstances of its creation as the blocks were confiscated by the Nazis for a while and Derain was visited regularly at his home by the Gestapo.

LITERATURE:

The Artist and the Book 81