Marc-George Mallet. La Ronde des Déesses [“The Circle of the Godesses.”]

(SZYK, ARTHUR)

Le Fleur de France

Paris

1925

One of 60 numbered copies. Frontispiece engraving by Arthur Szyk. Opening free-endpaper inscribed and signed by Mallet

An extremely scarce example of Szyk's early artistry. This work of poetry was produced during a time of experimentation by Szyk. The engraving he produced here is the only time he ever utilized such a medium. “In contrast with (his usual) historically-inspired illustrations...this image shows the artist working in the contemporary modernistic style of Art-Deco, evident in the stylized abstraction and rhythmic curves used to depict the goddesses as well as their horses and chariot, the streamlined Greek temple, and the billowing cloud formations included in the illustration. See J.P. Ansell, Arthur Szyk: Artist, Jew, Pole (2004) p.37. Only one other copy presently located, at the Library of Congress, Washington DC