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Description
YOURCENAR (Marguerite).
L’œuvre au Noir.
Paris: Gallimard, [1968]. — In-8, 201 x 138: 340 pp., (3 leaves, the last one blank), printed cover. Paperback, covered binding, with illustrated dust jacket.
First edition of this historical novel.
‘*L’Œuvre au Noir* is the story of a fictional character, Zénon – a physician, alchemist and philosopher – from his illegitimate birth in Bruges in the early 16th century to the tragic catastrophe that brings his life to an end. We follow him on his vast journeys across Europe and the Levant of his time, in his work as a doctor to the plague-stricken and the poor and in his role as court physician, in his research that was ahead of the official science of his day and in his critique of knowledge itself, in his explorations of mind and body, and in his perpetual and perilous balancing act between rebellion and compromise” (publisher’s summary).
A copy from the standard print run, featuring this autographed dedication by the novelist on the half-title page:
to Jean Couvry // a tribute from the author // Marguerite Yourcenar // Human Anguish // in the 16th century
Soiling and a few small stains on the cover. Creases and tears on the dust jacket.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale
Claude Mozis Library – Black Africa and the African diaspora
Auction location
Auction time
10/21/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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