BUFFET (Bernard). - Lot 108

BUFFET (Bernard). La Passion du Christ. [Paris: Henri Creuzevault, 1954]. - In-folio, 482 x 290 : (40 ff. last 2 blank), printed cover. Leaves, in publisher's zinc plate-covered chemise and zinc slipcase. Superb edition of 140 copies on Hollande Van Gelder paper, illustrated with 21 original drypoints by Bernard BUFFET (1928-1999). "The main texts that make up the story of Christ's passion have been taken from the four Gospels. Various parallel passages have been brought together, three of which are borrowed from the other books of the New Testament (Acts, Epistles, Apocalypse), the rest being taken from various sections of the Old Testament (Pentateuch, Prophets, Psalms, Sapiential Books). The extracts were selected and arranged by Charles Astruc, who also supervised the translation, based on the best versions in use in the seventeenth century" (justification). The book's layout was designed by Bernard Buffet. A precious copy, one of 20 nominative copies reserved for the artist and collaborators. It was specially printed for Colette Creuzevault, the publisher's wife, and contains a SUPERB AND LARGE ORIGINAL DRAWING BY BERNARD BUFFET, depicting the "Crucifixion", in India ink, measuring 47.8 x 57.8 cm, with this dedication: A Colette // avec la grosse affection // de // Bernard Buffet // Le 31 Mars 1955 The copy is further enriched with the following items: - A contract signed by Bernard Buffet, with 3 autograph words, dated September 19, 1953, in which the artist undertakes to execute "a certain number of engravings varying between 15 and 30, to illustrate a text on the Passion". - Issue no. 1 of the art magazine Parenthèses, directed by Pierre Bergé, published in February 1955 and dedicated to Bernard Buffet. It bears a double dedication by Buffet and Bergé to Colette Creuzevault: "A Colette // qui aime la peinture // à l'huile et la // peinture à l'eau // la gravure aussi // la musique........!!! // et le patin à glace // Bernard" - "Pour Colette // que j'ai habitué // à des dédicaces / troublantes. // Je t'embrasse // Pierre." Very well preserved set, except for the magazine whose spine is torn. Provenance: Colette Creuzevault.