Amour. 1892-99.
I.F.F. 19; Johnson 32; Cailler 107-119. The complete set of 13 lithographs printed in colors on wove paper (with the cover on china paper). Edition of 100. Published by Ambroise Vollard, Paris, 1911, and printed by Denis and Auguste Clot. Each print signed in pencil.
20 7/8 x 16 1/8"; 530 x 408mm (sheets).

At the suggestion of Vollard, Denis created his graphic masterpiece, the Amour series. It is one of the most important achievements during the flourishing of color lithography in France from 1890 to 1900. Denis was closely involved at this time with the other artists in the Nabis brotherhood and with the symbolists Mallarmé and Redon. The thirteen lithographs of Amour stylistically and thematically form a cohesive whole, although they are not narrative. Denis had been working on illustrations to Verlaine’s Sagesse in 1896-97; the titles in Amour are Verlaine-like stanzas but are apparently not direct quotations. Another influence was Denis’ study of early Christian art, especially the frescoes of fourteenth century Italian painters. In Amour, the delicate, soft colors emphasize the mystical and poetic quality. The prints are consummate studies in subtlety and restraint. Each has a distinct color scheme, with a subtle range of tonal values. The set is a perfect embodiment of Denis’ famous maxim published in the Nabis manifesto: “It must be remembered that any painting - before being a war horse, a nude woman or some anecdote – is essentially a flat surface covered with colours arranged in a certain order.”

Complete sets of Amour are very rare, as they have often been split up. This set is very unusual in that all thirteen prints are signed in pencil by Denis; and it is in exceptionally fine, fresh condition, with superb colors.

Price on request