Description
Fernand Léger—one of the most influential figures of 20th-century modernism—brings his dynamic, tubular visual language to Les Cercles Magiques, a poetic collaboration with Yvan Goll. A pioneer of Cubism and a close associate of Picasso and Braque, Léger’s work evolved into a bold, mechanized aesthetic that celebrated modern life, movement, and form. In this rare 1951 edition, published by Falaize, six of Léger’s drawings punctuate the book with an airy vitality—looped lines, botanical abstraction, and rhythmic energy that plays beautifully against Goll’s text. The striking cover illustration, a visual spell of handprint and circling color, reflects Léger’s ongoing experimentation with harmony and contrast. This is a limited edition, numbered 597 of just 750 printed on Vélin pur fil Lafuma, and is a stunning testament to the intersection of visual art and poetry in postwar Paris.
Yvan Goll, the Franco-German poet, dramatist, and translator, was a central figure in both the Expressionist and Surrealist movements. His writing often dances between political urgency and dreamlike abstraction, and Les Cercles Magiques is no exception. With a surrealist’s eye and a mystic’s soul, Goll conjures the symbolism of circles, magic, and human touch. The handwritten dedication at the front of this copy reads: “To Monique and Marcel, wishing them a year of happiness and magical success under the sign of the fraternal hand of Jean. Claire.” Sure, it’s a gift inscription, but it’s a cool touch that further roots the book in its original cultural context. And who has that kind of penmanship anymore?! This volume is an essential addition for collectors of illustrated French poetry, mid-century avant-garde, and art-book collaborations. Scarce in the market, especially with the original glassine wrap. And what a cover! But don’t judge this book solely on that…
A beautiful synthesis of poetic surrealism and modernist linework—rarely found complete and in such lovely shape.
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