[DELACROIX, Eugene, (1798-1863), illustrator.] GOETHE, Johann Wolfgang von (1749-1832). Faust. Paris: Goyer & Hermet, 1828.

[DELACROIX, Eugene, (1798-1863), illustrator.] GOETHE, Johann Wolfgang von (1749-1832). Faust. Paris: Goyer & Hermet, 1828.

The first edition of Delacroix’s illustrations to Faust, in a fine cuir-ciselé binding by Charles Meunier: “the most significant illustrated book of its time” (Ray) and generally credited as the first in the French tradition of livres de peintres. Delacroix was inspired to illustrate the work by a performance of the play he attended in London in 1825. Originally intended for publication as an album by Charles Motte later that year, the lithographs were not issued together until three years later. Delacroix used the lithographs "to astonish the middle class," intending them as a manifesto for Romanticism in art. According to Ray, "the book met with the expected hostile reception ... Traditional critics were outraged that he was given to exaggeration." The one early viewer who did appreciate their greatness, however, was Goethe himself, who upon first seeing them in 1826 wrote, "One must acknowledge that this M. Delacroix has a great talent, which in Faust has found its true nourishment ... I have to agree that M. Delacroix has surpassed the scenes of my writing." Castleman 16; Ray 143.

Folio (409 x 278mm). Frontispiece portrait of Goethe on china paper and 17 lithographic plates by Motte after Delacroix (mild spotting, a few stains). Cuir-ciselé binding by Charles Meunier, dated 1920, crushed red morocco, inserted in upper and lower cover are large rectangular plaques of ox leather (369 x 235mm) stamp-signed "Ch. Meunier 20," deeply carved, upper cover with large central portrait of Faust surrounded by rich ornamental designs including the head of an owl, lower cover with large central portrait of Marguerite within a design of a carved wooden frame and the head of Mephistopheles, gilt lettered and tooled in compartments with raised bands, gilt edges, silk doublures, original illustrated wrappers bound in (touch of rubbing to extremities); half morocco chemise (chemise spine well-worn with some chips) and slipcase (light wear). Provenance: Cornelius J. Hauck (bookplate; his sale, Christie’s New York, 27 June 2006, lot 512).