Description:

A complete illustrated edition of T. Petronius Arbiter’s Le Satyricon, featuring the full suite of copperplate engravings by the celebrated French modernist master André Derain (1880-1954), one of the central figures of early twentieth century European avant-garde art and a founding member of the Fauvist movement.

This exceptional livre d’artiste presents the ancient Roman satirical masterpiece attributed to Petronius, the famed arbiter of elegance in the court of Emperor Nero, accompanied by Derain’s remarkable cycle of classical engravings. Executed in a deliberately archaic and timeless linear style, these illustrations draw deeply from Greek vase painting, Roman frescoes, and early Mediterranean sculptural traditions, translating the decadence, humor, eroticism, and theatricality of the Satyricon into a series of striking modernist interpretations.

The work is illustrated throughout with a complete suite of finely engraved plates printed from copper plates. Each image demonstrates Derain’s extraordinary command of line, balance, and classical form. The figures are rendered with remarkable economy of line yet convey a powerful sense of narrative drama, sensuality, and satire. Scenes depict the extravagant banquets, philosophical encounters, grotesque characters, erotic episodes, and mythological allusions that define Petronius’ celebrated work.

The engravings bear the unmistakable hallmarks of original copperplate printing, including visible plate impressions and crisp, delicate linework characteristic of fine press intaglio printing. These plates are widely regarded among the most refined graphic works produced by Derain and represent an important intersection between modernist art and classical literary revival in early twentieth century European book design.

Editions of Le Satyricon illustrated by André Derain are highly sought after by collectors of modernist illustrated books, livres d’artistes, and works associated with the School of Paris. Derain’s illustrated books are comparatively scarce in the marketplace, particularly when the complete suite of engravings and title pages remain intact.

The collection appears complete and includes the title pages, decorative ornament pages, and the full engraved illustration sequence. The engravings display strong, clean impressions with well-preserved margins. Paper appears to be high quality rag paper typical of fine press production.

The cloth binding or portfolio cover is present and retains its original decorative emblem. Minor handling wear, light edge wear, and typical age-related toning may be present consistent with a vintage fine press book. Overall the plates and pages present in very well-preserved collectible condition with strong visual appeal.

Illustrated editions of Le Satyricon with the full engraved suite by André Derain are considerably rarer than standard literary printings of the text. Complete examples are especially desirable to collectors of modernist illustrated books, early twentieth century livres d’artistes, and collectors of works associated with Fauvism and the School of Paris.

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April 5, 2026 11:00 AM EDT
Stouffville, ON, CA

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $5
$100 $299 $10
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $9,999 $250
$10,000 $49,999 $500
$50,000 $99,999 $1,000
$100,000 $999,999 $5,000
$1,000,000 + $10,000