20th Century & Contemporary Art - 8th June 2016

Lot 71

‡Michael Ayrton (1921-1975) Illustrations for the Femmes/Hombres by Paul Verlaine Fifteen

Estimate £1,500 - £2,500 | Hammer £1500

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Description

‡Michael Ayrton (1921-1975)

Illustrations for the Femmes/Hombres by Paul Verlaine

Fifteen, all artist's proofs, numbered VI/XV

All etchings, 1971, unframed, in a later folio

Each 29.5 x 39cm (15)

Paul Verlaine (1844-1896) composed the erotic verses Femmes/Hombres in 1890/91 based on his experiences, especially his affair in 1870/71 with the young Arthur Rimbaud. The verses were not well received at the time of publication in 1903, after Verlaine's death.