Jules RICHARD, "Paintings and drawings by A. DE NEUVILLE", l - Lot 113

Jules RICHARD, "Paintings and drawings by A. DE NEUVILLE", late 19th century Text by Jules Richard and illustrations based on Neuville's works. Publishers, auction houses Boussod, Valadon et compagnie (successors to Goupil et compagnie) and Ludovic Baschet (art bookshop), Paris Two volumes First volume: Wear on cover, back cover partially torn, leaves yellowed, soiling, slight creasing, beginning of separation of leaves on spine (especially last leaves of first volume), folding, handwritten notes in pencil probably stating sale results. Second volume: traces of wear on cover, spine slightly detached, pencil marks on some pages, soiling, slight creasing, damp stains. 42 x 32.5 cm Note: A fine illustrated set from the late XIXᵉ century, these volumes devoted to the works of Alphonse de Neuville offer a remarkable panorama of military and historical art as it developed after the 1870 war. A renowned painter and draughtsman, Neuville was renowned for his striking depictions of battle scenes, combining documentary accuracy, dramatic intensity and an eye for detail. Texts by Jules Richard accompany these images, underlining their historical and artistic significance, while the reproductions, from the prestigious Goupil firm (Boussod, Valadon & Cie), testify to the quality of the processes used to disseminate art at the end of the century. Together, they constitute a veritable art book, both documentary and aesthetic. Thanks to their large format and rich iconography, these volumes offer a strong visual impact and an immersive reading of military history. Despite their used condition, they remain of interest to lovers of illustration, history and fine antiquarian books, sensitive to the work of one of the great military painters of the XIXᵉ century.