“Composition”
illustration created for the Apocalypse of Saint John (not selected)
Oil on parchment paper signed and dated 1961 lower right.
68 x 57 cm
Certificate from the Georges Mathieu Comite.
Bibliography: The Apocalypse of Saint John is a unique book designed in 1959 by
art book publisher Joseph Foret in collaboration with numerous artists and writers.
This book was produced over three years in a single copy on parchment (150 sheets measuring 65 × 75
cm).
The text of The Apocalypse of Saint John is illustrated with three paintings per artist by seven
painters representing different trends in modern art: Salvador Dalí, Georges
Mathieu, Bernard Buffet, Leonor Fini, Léonard Foujita, Pierre-Yves Trémois, and Ossip Zadkine.
Seven writers of various specialties and convictions wrote commentaries, reflections, or
meditations on the apostle's text: Jean Cocteau, Jean Rostand, Daniel-Rops, Jean Guitton, Emil
Cioran, Jean Giono, and Ernst Jünger. Their texts are illustrated with engravings by various artists,
including Jean Cocteau himself and Albert Decaris.
From 1961 onwards, the work was exhibited in various countries around the world for a
decade. It was then purchased in Switzerland and Japan before being acquired by the
collector Christian Karoutzos.
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