Livres illustrés – A masterpiece of French Book Illustration – Dorat, Claude. – Fables nouvelles.

A luxurious edition of Dorat’s “Fables” printed on Dutch paper with ample margins. `”Its delicacy of execution, as well as in the beauty of the embellishments, the book rivals ‘Les Baisers and must be regarded as Marillier’s masterpiece” (Lewine). Clement-Pierre Marillier (1740-1808) is considered the outstandig illustrator of the Louis XVI period. More then 25 engravers executed his drawings depicting the motifs of the fables and are surrounded by an ornamental frame. The engravings are executed by Arerivet, Baquoy, Delaunay, Duflos and others. Marillier was a master in the field of miniatures. – “Cet ouvrage, qui rivalise de perfectin avec les Baisers, est le chef-d’oeuvre de Marillier, sous le rapport de la finesse de l’exécution et de l’esprit dans tous les sujets qui l’ornet” (Cohen). Also the publishing date of the book is 1773, some vignettes in part II are dated 1774 or 1775, so presumably this was completed in 1775 only. – A mint copy with the engravings in strong impressions. – Spine slightly rubbed. Contemporary marbled calf, boards surrounded by triple gilt fillets, wide gilt inner dentelles, spine richly gilt, back label, edges gilt. – Page 231/232 with small restored tear not affecting the text. – Otherwise a fine copy in contemporary binding. – A masterpiece of French Book illustration.