Saint Matorel is part of a trilogy of books by a now little-known poet, Max Jacob, who was an intimate friend of Picasso. Arguably, Saint Matorel is the most important Modern Illustrated Book from the perspective of art history. It contains four of the finest Cubist etchings by Picasso, the co-founder with Braque
of Cubism. In a small edition of 106 copies, 9 x 10 inches with a paper cover, it is signed by the artist and the poet. Saint Matorel is today of the utmost rarity
and few copies can be found on the open market.
Picasso was the most prolific Modern Illustrated Book artist, creating illustrations for over one hundred books, many with only one image. However, certain
outstanding works deserve special mention. Of particular note is Poémes and Lithographies, only 50 copies in an unusually large format, 20 x26 inches and
signed by Picasso. The text and lithographs were both executed by the artist as was the design of the pages which represent images from his works -
bullfighting, centaurs, his mistresses. Other books of special note are Metamorphoses by Ovide, Le Chef d'Oeuvre Inconnu by Balzac, Histoire Naturelles by Buffon, La Tauromaquia by Delgado, Célestine by Rojas, La Barre d'Appui by Eluard, Corps Perdu by Cesaire.
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