BENOIS Alexandre (1870-1960)
Lot 472
6 0008 000
BENOIS Alexandre (1870-1960)
Tsarskoe Selo in the reign of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna / Alexander Benois.
SPb.: R. Golike and A. Wilborg, 1910. - [22], 262, [4], XLVI, 59 p., Ill., 1p. front. (Portr.), 1 title. [54] l. Il.; 31.5 x 26 cm. - (Materials for the history of art in Russia in the XVIII century on the main architectural monuments) - 600 copies.
Numerous illustrations on separate pages are reproduced in the techniques of heliogravure, phototype and autotype, color printing. Half-title based on the drawing by K. Somov. Color and tonal wallpaper based on the pictures of E. Lancere. A big layout of Tsarskoye Selo, a facsimile image from the rarest engraving from the beginning of the reign of Catherine II. Published in leather binding. Gold embossed on the covers: a frame with a floral motif, topped with an imperial crown, a gold-painted ornamented root. Torched edge with a golden "head". Minor signs of wear on the corners of the covers and edges of the spine. Collectible.
Luxurious fundamental edition dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the famous imperial residence. The work, conceived by the author in 1902, was to become the first in a series of similar books with the common subtitle “Materials for the history of art in Russia in the 18th century on the main architectural monuments”. However, this became the only published sample of the planned series. The result of A. Benoit's many years of work, a large monograph written in a lively, fascinating language, with images and drawings of plans for palace buildings from public and private archives; specially made for publishing photographs of palaces, parks, pavilions, interiors and objects that serve to decorate them. Outstanding artists of the era, representatives of the World of Art association: M. Dobuzhinsky, E. Lansere, D. Mitrokhin and K. Somov worked on the design of the book. The book has become not only a work of art in publishing, but also, in conjunction with a small circulation and high price (100 rubles for a simple version, 125 rubles for "luxurious leather" and a special edition of 25 copies on the best paper in luxurious leather binding, each of which cost 150 rubles) a bibliophilic rarity.
Today, this unique edition is included in the golden fund of book art, and is also of historical value - this is the first monographic description of the monument of Russian culture - Tsarskoye Selo.
Bibliography: International Exhibition of Printing and Graphic Arts in Leipzig. Catalog of the Russian department. SPb., 1914; Gubar No. 1482; Ulyaninsky . No 1048.