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drawing of two women sitting on a bed in a rooman old book with a red leather cover on a white background
Premium Jeschke Jádi Auctions Berlin

Estimate €900 - €1,200
Sale commission
Description
Zola, Émile Édouard Manet. A biographical and critical study. Accompanied by a portrait of Édouard Manet by (Marie) Bracquemond and an etching by Édouard Manet based on *Olympia*. With two etchings. Paris, E. Dentu., 1867. 48 pp. with 2 original etchings. Dark red half-leather binding, c. 1900, with gold-stamped title on the spine, rich gilding on the spine and gold-edged head (original typographic cover bound in). (Spine professionally restored). Carteret II, 491. Lang, Impressionism 17 (under Bracquemond). Monod 11598. – Includes the etching ‘Olympia’ (Guérin 39/VI) based on the artist’s most famous painting. - First edition of this rare work, which was initially published on 1 January 1867 in the *Revue du XIXe siècle* and subsequently, on the occasion of Manet’s own exhibition in a specially erected pavilion on the Avenue de l’Alma, published as a pamphlet by Dentu. Zola, a friend of Manet’s since the early 1860s, provides far more than a biography of the artist: his text is a programmatic plea for Manet’s modern painting and one of the earliest vehement defences of his work, which was highly controversial at the time. At the centre of the work is *Olympia*, exhibited at the 1865 Salon, which caused a public scandal due to its unclothed, contemporary-style nude. Zola explicitly describes the painting as a masterpiece and recognises in it Manet’s unmistakable, highly personal artistic style. The publication is therefore not only significant in terms of literary and art history, but also documents a pivotal moment in the early public discourse on modern French painting. Particularly noteworthy is the original illustration: an etching of Manet by Félix Bracquemond, as well as Manet’s own etching based on *Olympia*. This small etching from 1867, created specifically for the booklet, renders Manet’s famous composition in a distinct graphic medium and makes the volume a sought-after point of intersection between Zola collections, Manet’s prints and literature on modern art. - Pages slightly browned. A good copy. With 2 etchings. First edition of this rare work, first published in the *Revue du XIXe siècle* on 1 January 1867 and subsequently issued by Dentu in pamphlet form to mark Manet’s own exhibition, held in a purpose-built pavilion on the Avenue de l’Alma. A friend of Manet’s since the early 1860s, Zola offers far more than an artist’s biography: his text is a programmatic plea for Manet’s modern painting and one of the earliest forceful defences of an artist whose work was then fiercely controversial. At its centre stands *Olympia*, exhibited at the Salon of 1865 and the cause of a public scandal due to its unvarnished, resolutely contemporary treatment of the nude. Zola expressly calls the painting a masterpiece, recognising in it Manet’s unmistakable and intensely individual artistic style. The publication is therefore significant not only for literary and art history, but also as a document of a pivotal moment in the early public debate surrounding modern French painting. Particularly noteworthy is the original illustration: an etched portrait of Manet by Félix Bracquemond, alongside Manet’s own etching based on *Olympia*. Created for this pamphlet in 1867, this small print translates Manet’s celebrated composition into an autonomous graphic medium, making the volume a sought-after intersection of Zola collecting, Manet’s printmaking, and literature on modern art. Pages show minimal browning. A good copy. This lot is subject to standard tax. A 24.95% buyer’s premium is payable on the hammer price, and 7% (Books and Art) or 19% VAT (Manuscripts, Screenprints, Offset Prints, Photographs) is payable on the final invoice amount within the European Union. This lot is subject to the standard margin scheme. A 24.95% buyer’s premium applies to the hammer price, and 7% (books and art) or 19% VAT (manuscripts, screen prints, offset prints and photographs) applies to the final invoice amount within the European Union.
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About the sale Valuable books, prints, historical photographs
Auction location
Auction time 10/24/2026 at 10:00 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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