255 - Fernand Léger. Cirque. Original lithographs. Paris, Tériade, Les Éditions Verve 1950. Includes 63 lithographs, 34 of which are in color and five are double-sheet size, and 44 pages of lithographed manuscript. Loose double-sheet pages in original envelope, folder with spine label, and original slipcase.

Fernand Léger. Cirque. Original lithographs. Paris, Tériade, Les Éditions Verve 1950. Includes 63 lithographs, 34 of which are in color and five are double-sheet size, and 44 pages of lithographed manuscript. Loose double-sheet pages in original envelope, folder with spine label, and original slipcase. Starting time: approx. 3:20 p.m. (schedule subject to change) One of 280 copies, plus 20 “hors commerce.” - Signed by the artist in the colophon. - On Arches vellum. - The entire text was also lithographically printed based on the artist’s manuscript, which he embellished with vignettes and decorative elements. - During the war years of 1940–1945, Léger lived in North America, where his fascination with both bicycles and the circus was kindled. Both became central themes in his artistic work; “Cirque” is his ode to all things round. “Léger’s figures are monumental, their lines marked by great simplicity; [...] the boundary between object and human figure dissolves.” (Beatrice Hérnad). Saphire 44–106. – LC 2001 131. – CCAB, p. 95. – Monod 7047. - Papiergesänge 71. - Rauch 195. - V&A 1985 123. - ABF, p. 336. - A&B 164 42.5 × 32.5 cm. [2], 111, [3] pages. - Edges of the cover damaged; cover and spine slightly stained. - Throughout, mostly along the fold and at the outer edges, with some foxing. English description: Includes 63 lithographs (34 in color and five double-sheet size) and 44 pages of lithographed manuscript. Loose double sheets in their original wrapper. Bound together in a chemise with a spine label and a slipcase. One of 280 copies; another 20 were not sold to the public. - Signed by the artist in the colophon. - On Arches vellum. - The entire text was also lithographically printed based on the artist’s manuscript, which he embellished with vignettes and decorative elements. - During the war years of 1940–1945, Léger lived in North America, where his fascination with both bicycles and the circus was sparked. Both subjects became central themes in his artistic work. “It is a notable landmark among ‘livres amnuscrits’” (W. J. Strachan). - “Léger’s masterful graphic work [...] accounts for nearly half of his print output. The text is Léger’s own, and his themes are the circus and the countryside; from these cornerstones of his inspiration, Léger derives the principles of his art and life. There can be no doubt that ‘Cirque’ stands as his testament. [...] ‘Go to the circus, leave behind your rectangles, your geometric windows, and you’ll enter the land of circles in motion.’“ (Lawrence Saphire). - “This project was by far the most ambitious series of illustrations in Léger’s career, comprising over eighty lithographs. His inspiration came in part from his exposure to the great Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus, which he experienced at Madison Square Garden in New York during his wartime exile from Europe. The emphasis on simplicity of drawing and vibrant color is characteristic of Léger’s spirited optimism in his late work.” (Robert Flynn Johnson, in: LC) Edges of the book block damaged; cover and spine slightly stained. - Some foxing spots throughout, mostly along the endpapers and outer edges.