
Histoire de 4 fils Aymon, illustrated by Eugene Grasset. 1883. The text is a popular version of the "chansons de geste" of Charlemagne and his barons. This book represents a turning point in the history of illustration, perhaps the first book that was conceived as a coordinated mise-en-page between imagery and text. As such, it is one of the most important Art Nouveau books. The style of the illustrations is a mix of Celtic, Oriental, Arabic and medieval ornaments. E. Grasset worked with Ch. Gillot, the inventor of photo-relief printing, and used this process for this book. One of 100 copies on Chinese paper.
The binding is by René Kieffer. The top cover includes a colored cuir ciselé panel by Gustave Guetant.
