GIACOMETTI, Alberto (1901-1966). Paris sans fin. Paris: Tériade, 1969.

GIACOMETTI, Alberto (1901-1966). Paris sans fin. Paris: Tériade, 1969.

Limited edition, number 16 of 250 copies on Arches, of ‘the artist’s last testament to his own art and to modern life’ (Lust). Devoted to the city he loved most, Giacometti’s Paris sans fin is a rich and sensitive marriage of image and text inspired by the spaces and energies of Paris. Composed between 1957 and 1962 but only published three years after his death, it ‘represents a new graphic triumph for Giacometti, the re-creation of the illuminated book […] After he succeeded in sculpture, painting, drawing and graphics, there remained but one more field to conquer, the illustrated book […] With Paris sans fin, for which he did both the text and the 150 lithographs, he not only amended this situation, but created in many respects the most beautiful book of [the] century’. There were also 20 hors commerce copies numbered I-XX. Lust 204-353.

Folio (420 x 328mm). The complete portfolio, loose as issued, comprising text and 150 lithographs on Arches, with the stamped signature and numbered on the justification page. Original printed wrappers; glassine wrapper, housed in original beige cloth-covered chemise and slipcase with title and artist's name in gilt on spine (some spots to cloth). Provenance: from the library of Sir Colin St John Wilson and M.J. Long.