83 - HERBIN (Auguste).

HERBIN (Auguste). Non-Figurative, Non-Objective Art. Paris: Édition Lydia Conti, [1949]. — In-4, 227 x 189: (2 blank folios), 131 pp., (5 blank folios at the end), 7 plates, printed cover. Paperback, padded cover. First edition of this major theoretical work by the painter Auguste Herbin (1882–1960), a pioneer of geometric abstract art. In it, the author presents his “Plastic Alphabet”—a system of composition based on the structure of letters—and his theory of color, inspired by Goethe’s. He justifies the use of biblical quotations by drawing an unexpected parallel between non-figurative art and millennia-old texts prohibiting figuration, and cites numerous philosophers and writers opposed to the imitation of nature, such as Kant, Hegel, Schiller, Goethe, Calvin, Baudelaire, Oscar Wilde, etc. He develops a spiritualist conception of the evolution of art and articulates an ideal of unity between Religion, Art, and Science. The illustrations consist of 17 full-page figures, including 2 in color and 17 in black and white, as well as 7 superb color stencil-printed compositions outside the main text: Composition on the word “Christ.” - Composition on the word “Yellow.” - Composition on the word “Bird.” - Composition on the word “Iron Steel.” - Composition on the word “Flower Fruit.” - Composition on the word “Red.” - Ibid. Limited edition of 1,080 numbered copies (No. 499). Copy belonging to the painter, filmmaker, art theorist, and founder of the musicalist movement Henry Valensi (1883–1960), enhanced by this autographed dedication signed by the author on the half-title page: To my friend Valensi // Warmest regards // AHerbin // November 19, 1949 Auguste Herbin and Henry Valensi were two pioneers of abstraction whose paths crossed on several occasions. They were part of the Abstraction-Création movement, founded in 1931 by Herbin along with Jean Hélion and Georges Vantongerloo to promote abstract art in opposition to the influence of Surrealism. After the war, they reunited at the Salon des Réalités Nouvelles, founded in 1946, of which Herbin was a founding member and vice president. Very well-preserved copy.