Le Livre de Job

Le Livre de Job. Original translation by Daniel RENASSIA and Joseph BEN AARON. Nice edition, Joseph Pardo, publisher, at the sign of the Sefer, 1961. Remarkable bibliophilic edition, on large paper. Folio (36.5 x 29 cm), 4 unnumbered leaves + 170 pp. + two suites of plates (separate). Publisher's full tan morocco leather binding, in slipcase. Spine with 5 raised bands, gilt-tooled compartments and title in gilt letters. 4 chimera metal fittings on each of the boards. Light water stains on the spine, having darkened the leather. Very good condition. Marc DAUTRY has richly illustrated this work with 78 original engravings and an original drawing of an angel signed and dated 1960. One of 32 numbered copies from I to XXXII in Roman numerals (here no. III). This print run is complete with a suite of the 13 plates in sepia, and a suite of the 13 plates in black. Integrated into the slipcase is the original copper plate, gilded with fine gold, of a headpiece from the work depicting birds. A total of 249 copies were printed, plus 30 hors commerce. Marc Dautry (1930-2008) was a complete artist; engraver, draftsman, painter, and sculptor. His work earned him international recognition by winning a gold medal at the International Engraving Biennale in Florence in 1972. He is renowned for his work on the movement of bodies in a "dramatic and spiritual" context. He is an illustrator choice perfectly suited to the illustration of the Book of Job; as it is one of the great texts of the Hebrew Bible, dedicated to the suffering of the righteous man confronted with the apparent injustice and silence of God. This text of great poetic and philosophical power questions justice and the hidden meaning of life's trials.