Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14

Jean-Gabriel Domergue
1948 original illustrated book titled "Quand on parle d'amour" by Domergue

1948

About the Item

The 1948 original illustrated book titled "Quand on parle d'amour" by Jean-Gabriel Domergue is a beautifully crafted example of mid-20th-century French book art, blending the poetic musings of Pierre Harel-Darc with the refined and elegant illustrations of Domergue, a celebrated French painter and illustrator known for his depictions of Parisian high society and graceful female figures. Jean-Gabriel Domergue: The Artist Jean-Gabriel Domergue (1889–1962) was a prominent French painter, often credited as the inventor of the "pin-up" style in France. He became renowned for his depictions of fashionable Parisian women, often characterized by elongated figures, elegant postures, and a refined, almost ethereal beauty. Domergue’s illustrations for "Quand on parle d'amour" are a testament to his ability to capture the essence of femininity, romance, and the sophisticated allure of the Parisian lifestyle. In this book, Domergue’s illustrations are not mere decorations but serve as visual interpretations of Harel-Darc’s poetic themes. His watercolors, translated into lithographs, echo the elegance and subtle emotional undertones of the poems, creating a harmonious blend of art and literature. The Poetry: Pierre Harel-Darc Pierre Harel-Darc’s "Quand on parle d'amour" is a poetic exploration of love—its emotions, complexities, and the often unspoken nuances that come with it. The poetry is deeply reflective, capturing both the joy and melancholy of romantic experiences. Harel-Darc’s words find a perfect counterpart in Domergue’s illustrations, which evoke the tender and passionate feelings expressed in the text. Lithography and Colorization The illustrations were originally created as watercolors by Jean-Gabriel Domergue and were then lithographed and colored by Maurice Beaudet, a skilled lithographer known for his expertise in translating watercolor works into lithographic prints. The lithographs maintain the soft, delicate quality of the original watercolors, ensuring that the vibrant yet subtle color palette enhances the overall aesthetic of the book. Beaudet’s work brings Domergue’s illustrations to life on the printed page, allowing the colors to evoke the romantic and emotional atmosphere that the poetry conveys. This collaboration between artist and lithographer demonstrates a high level of craftsmanship and artistic synergy, making the book not only a literary work but also a piece of fine art. Edition Details and Production The edition of "Quand on parle d'amour" was printed in a limited run of 350 copies, making it a rare and sought-after collector’s item. The breakdown of the edition is as follows: 280 copies were printed on vélin du Marais, a high-quality French paper known for its durability and fine texture. The copy in question is numbered 80, one of the 280 copies on this prestigious paper. In addition to its rarity, this particular copy is enriched with autograph inscriptions from both the author, Pierre Harel-Darc, and the illustrator, Jean-Gabriel Domergue. These handwritten dedications on the half-title page add significant value to the book, making it a unique item with personal connections to its creators. Condition This copy of "Quand on parle d'amour" is described as very well preserved, with the contents of the book itself remaining in excellent condition. However, the slipcase that originally housed the book has suffered some damage over time. While this affects the exterior packaging, it does not diminish the overall value of the book, especially given the excellent condition of the interior pages and the added significance of the autographed inscriptions. Rarity and Collectibility The rarity of this book, combined with the fame of Jean-Gabriel Domergue and the meticulous craftsmanship involved in its production, makes it a highly collectible piece. The limited edition run, high-quality paper, and lithographs, combined with the personal touches of signed inscriptions, ensure that this book holds significant value for collectors of fine art books and illustrated literature. Moreover, the lithographs by Domergue, executed by Maurice Beaudet, make this edition a prime example of mid-20th-century French book production, where the interplay between poetry and visual art was celebrated and revered. Collectors with a particular interest in Jean-Gabriel Domergue's work or those focused on illustrated French books from this period would find this piece particularly desirable. Conclusion The 1948 original illustrated book "Quand on parle d'amour" by Jean-Gabriel Domergue and Pierre Harel-Darc is a remarkable example of the synergy between poetry and visual art. With its limited edition status, exquisite lithographs, and personal inscriptions from both the author and the illustrator, this book represents a rare and valuable collector’s item. Despite the slipcase showing signs of wear, the book remains a beautifully preserved piece of mid-century French artistry, offering a glimpse into the romantic and poetic imagination of the time. Literature - France 10 lithographed plates based on Domergue's watercolors, printed and colored by Maurice Beaudet - Printed in 350 copies, one of 280 on Marais vellum (N.80) Enriched with autograph entries signed by the author and illustrator on the half-title. Very well preserved copy with the exception of the damaged case.
  • Creator:
    Jean-Gabriel Domergue (1889-1962, French)
  • Creation Year:
    1948
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 13 in (33 cm)Width: 9.85 in (25 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Period:
  • Condition:
    Very good condition.
  • Gallery Location:
    PARIS, FR
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1792215036732

More From This Seller

View All
Conklin Lee Ten Years After, Sun Ra and Country Weather - 1968 Original Poster
Located in PARIS, FR
Original Poster from Lee Conklin. Lee Conklin is an artist best known for his psychedelic posters from the late 1960s and particularly for his iconic cover of Santana's first album. At the time, photography was the basis of advertising, while psychedelic graphics were done by hand and were mostly based on an illustration concept. The posters of this movement claim a new aesthetic: the flashy and warm colors, the shapes and moving typography and the density of the motif that invades the space translate the psychedelic vision, often associated with the taking of substances such as LSD. The psychedelic experience was evident in Ten Years After and Country Weather entangled in the branches of the island tree, but this was not a classic tree-of-life image. Fillmore West hung from the branches on spider web threads. Brotherhood of Light - Bill Graham, Tea Lautrec Litho...
Category

1960s Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph, Paper

Original Poster of Auriac for the Middle East Airlines in Damascus
By Jacques Auriac
Located in PARIS, FR
Very nice poster of Auriac for the Middle East Airlines in Damascus. Jacques Auriac, born in 1922 in Paris and died in 2003, was a French painter, post...
Category

1950s Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph, Paper

Original Cuban Poster XI Aniversario del FNL de Viet Nam Del Sur Circa 1970
Located in PARIS, FR
Very nice poster of the 70's for the XIth anniversary of the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam. This Cuban poster was edited by the OCLA...
Category

1970s Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph, Paper

A.M. Cassandre - Galeries Lafayette 1928 - Art Deco Original Poster
By Adolphe Jean-Marie (AM) Cassandre
Located in PARIS, FR
Beautiful poster of Cassandre in 1928 for the Exposition Générale at Galeries Lafayette. Cassandre, pseudonym of Adolphe Jean Marie Mouron, 🇺🇦 & 🇫🇷 (1901-1968) is a French graphic designer, poster artist, theater decorator, lithographer, painter and typographer whose works never cease to amaze us He is mainly known for his advertising posters for railroads, such as the Étoile du Nord, the Dubonnet drink, the Normandie liner, and for the typefaces he created in the 1930s such as Bifur and Peignot, and, drawn out of...
Category

1920s Art Deco Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Linen, Lithograph

The strength of the USSR 1959 Soviet Poster on the conquest of space Cold War
Located in PARIS, FR
Very beautiful Soviet poster on the conquest of space during the Cold War. The space race is one of the manifestations of the Cold War in which the two superpowers engaged from the e...
Category

1950s Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Lithograph, Linen

Original poster from 1958 Kloster Parsenn Switzerland Tourism SwissAir
Located in PARIS, FR
Original vintage poster for the popular Swiss alpine resort of Klosters Parsenn Suisse Schweiz featuring a colourful and fun photo of a girl wearing red ...
Category

1950s Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Linen, Lithograph

You May Also Like

Lavishly illustrated 592 page monograph (hand signed by Jeff Koons)
By Jeff Koons
Located in New York, NY
Jeff Koons Lavishly illustrated 592 page monograph (hand signed by Jeff Koons), 2009 Hardback monograph with dust jacket (hand signed by Jeff Koons) Boldly signed and dated 12/1/14 o...
Category

Early 2000s Pop Art Figurative Prints

Materials

Paper, Mixed Media, Permanent Marker, Lithograph, Offset, Board

Rosta Windows, Lithograph by Wladimir Majakowski, 1920
By Wladimir Majakowski
Located in Berlin, DE
This is one of the very rare lithographs of an image for the Rosta windows. Rosta without number ( Christmas number ), 3 January 1920. Measurements: Image: 10.43 x 5.91 in ( 26,5 x ...
Category

Early 20th Century Other Art Style Figurative Prints

Materials

Archival Paper, Lithograph

Henri Matisse: Colour Lithographs after the Cut-Outs, Framed Print, 1958
By Henri Matisse
Located in Richmond, GB
Henri Matisse: Colour Lithographs after the Cut-Outs, Framed Print, 1958 In 1941 Matisse underwent abdominal surgery after which he found painting to be physically taxing. Increasi...
Category

20th Century Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

Henri Matisse: Colour Lithographs after the Cut-Outs, Framed Print, 1958
By Henri Matisse
Located in Richmond, GB
Henri Matisse: Colour Lithographs after the Cut-Outs, Framed Print, 1958 In 1941 Matisse underwent abdominal surgery after which he found painting to be physically taxing. Increasi...
Category

20th Century Prints and Multiples

Materials

Paper, Lithograph

George Grosz Lithograph "Kraft und Anmut" ( Strength and Grace ), 1922
By (after) George Grosz
Located in Berlin, DE
Color Lithograph on handmade paper from Ecce Homo, by George Grosz, 1922 Printed by Kunstanstalt Dr. Selle & Co. AG, Berlin. Published by Malik Verlag, 1923 Numbered in Roman numeral...
Category

1920s Figurative Prints

Materials

Handmade Paper, Color, Lithograph

George Grosz Lithograph "Dämmerung" (Twilight ), 1922
By George Grosz
Located in Berlin, DE
Color Lithograph on handmade paper from Ecce Homo, by George Grosz, 1922. Printed by Kunstanstalt Dr. Selle & Co. AG, Berlin Published by Malik Verlag, 1923. Numbered in Roman numera...
Category

1920s Figurative Prints

Materials

Handmade Paper, Color, Lithograph

Recently Viewed

View All