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an open book with red writing on it and a red chaira piece of old paper with handwriting on ita book with a drawing of a red chair on itan old handwritten letter from a man who is writing on a piece of paper
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204 - Pierre REVERDY. *Le Chant des morts*, poems.
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Estimate €3,500 - €4,000
Sale commission
Description
Pierre REVERDY. *Le Chant des morts*, poems. Original lithographs by Pablo Picasso. Paris, Tériade, 1948. Folio, loose-leaf, illustrated cover with inlay, publisher’s slipcase and case. One of the fine books illustrated by Picasso, comprising 125 original lithographs in red, including two for the cover. A print run of 270 copies on Arches vellum, signed by the poet and the painter (no. 161). The text, a facsimile of the poet’s handwriting, is not adorned with conventional illustrations: “these are merely traces, gashes, hieroglyphs modestly in a trance, twisted lines, dots that illuminate. Picasso divides the space into a grid […]. The effect is striking. […] The perfection achieved—which painters and poets have always praised—gives a measure of the disappointment felt by bewildered collectors for nearly thirty years” (Yves Peyré). “Picasso initially considered creating ordinary illustrations, separate from the text, but then preferred to adorn Reverdy’s very handwriting, page by page, in the style of ancient illuminations. Picasso perceived Reverdy’s broad handwriting, which fills the pages without cluttering them, as an arrangement of small black marks which he would complement with large red marks reminiscent of Oriental calligraphy” (Goeppert-Cramer, no. 50). Copy preserved as published. As is often the case, there are a few stains and discolouration. Enclosed is the signed autograph manuscript of the poem ‘Outre mesure’, which appears in the book on pages 90–91. A fine autograph manuscript on a folio-sized page, front and back, with the dedication “To Maurice Nadeau”. The poet has written the poem in his flowing hand, as reproduced in the book. The world is a prison if I am far from what I love / You are not too far away, bars of the horizon
See original version (French)
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About the sale Henri Michaux, the Sven Pitsey collection
Auction location
Auction time 10/29/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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