painting of a couple of people dressed in fancy clothingan old book sitting on top of a table covered in paperan image of a picture of a woman in a blue dress holding a fanpainting of a woman in a green dress with a parasol in her handa drawing of a woman in a white dress holding a white umbrellaa picture of a woman in a black coat and hatan image of a painting of a woman in a striped suita book that has a picture of a mask on ita close up of a piece of paper with writing on itpainting of a woman in a green and white striped outfit holding a pink purse and a canean image of a painting of a penguin and a penguin on a beacha picture of a painting of a woman in a blue dressa painting of a woman in a red dress and a man in a black coatan old book with a mask on the cover of itan old book with a picture of a man riding a horse
Premium KÂ- MONDO / KAPANDJI MORHANGE

43 - BRUNELLESCHI (Umberto). The Masks and Characters of the Ital…
See original version (French)

Estimate €2,500 - €2,800
Description
BRUNELLESCHI (Umberto). The Masks and Characters of the Italian Commedia dell’Arte. A masterpiece of Art Deco elegance, one of the finest tributes to the figures of the Commedia dell’Arte. Paris, At the offices of the Journal des Dames et des Modes, 1914. Oblong folio album (380 x 500 mm). Loose sheets in a cream paper cover decorated with the title and a vignette. Cardboard folder with flaps and the publisher’s slipcase. 6 unnumbered pages, 12 plates. Slight pinholes on the cover. A faded handwritten note on the reverse of the ‘Pantalon’ plate. The cardboard slipcase is damaged and fragile. First edition, a numbered copy on Arches vellum, signed by the artist. The album comprises 12 engraved plates of exceptional finesse, magnificently enhanced by stencil printing with brush highlights. Brunelleschi displays all his genius as a costume designer and colourist in portraying the iconic figures of Italian theatre: Arlecchino, Doctor Ballanzone, Brighella, Corallina, Florindo, Giacometta, Mezzetin and Colombina, Pantalone, Rosaura, Scaramouche, etc. Our copy is enriched with handwritten notes on the reverse of four plates (one of which has been bleached). According to a note on the back cover, these notes are said to be in the hand of Gérard d'Houville (the pen name of Marie de Régnier), a poet and central figure in the literary life of the Belle Époque. The plates are in perfect condition, displaying vivid and luminous colours.
See original version (French)
About the sale Fine antique and collectible books, manuscripts and modern illustrated works
Auction location
Auction time 06/29/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
You may also like