Overview
Vingt lithographies pour un livre que j’ai lu by Roland Caillaux was published in Paris in 1945. The portfolio includes 20 lithographs on Rives vellum paper. This is copy number 106 out of 115, making it a rare and valuable edition. A small number of extra copies were also made for contributors.
Literary Connection
The volume is linked to Jean Genet. It contains a preface and 19 poems attributed to him, although Genet never confirmed his authorship. This uncertainty gives the book an aura of mystery. Genet’s reputation as a bold and subversive writer resonates with the daring imagery created by Caillaux.
Artistic Style
Caillaux’s lithographs show youthful figures in intimate encounters. The drawings are precise yet sensual, and the style recalls artists such as Jean Boullet and the German Neue Sachlichkeit painters. The settings are often simple interiors or urban backdrops, echoing the raw yet poetic spirit of Genet’s texts.
Physical Details and Provenance
The portfolio measures 33.2 × 25.4 × 2 cm. It was printed on fine Rives vellum paper, typical of luxury Parisian editions. This copy comes from the Seymour Stein Estate, adding another layer of interest for collectors.
Condition
The book shows light toning, a small tear at the front cover near the spine, and gentle wear. Despite this, it remains well preserved.
Significance
This edition is a strong example of postwar French bibliophilia. It combines literature, homosexuality, and visual culture in a way that was rare and daring for its time.
