Balthus, Rilke, Rainer Maria

Beautiful bound limited-edition copy of Rilke's sonnets with illustrations by Balthus.

• Rainer Maria Rilke (Austrian).
• Illustrations by Balthus (French).
• Translated by Stephen Mitchell (American).
• The Limited Editions Club, 1997.
• Quarto.
• Illustrated with two-color woodcut prints by Balthus.
• Edition limited to 300 numbered copies signed by Balthus. 
• Original morocco-backed beige linen boards, clamshell box.

"These fifty-five sonnets, published in 1923, three years before the poet’s death, describe his relationship to every aspect of creation, and view death as a continuation not a termination of life. In the original German with the superb English verse translation by Stephen Mitchell on facing pages. Balthus was encouraged by Rilke to dedicate his life to the arts. The two illustrations for this edition are a tribute to his childhood friend" (Publisher).