La Princesse de Clèves
First edition of The Princess of Cleves, one of the most sought-after works of 17th-century French literature, printed in Paris in 1678.
4 volumes in-12. Red morocco, triple gilt fillet framing the boards, spine with raised bands finely decorated with fillets and gilt fleurons, date at foot, double gilt fillet on edges, broad gilt roll-tooled inner dentelle, gilt edges. Fine binding signed by Godillot.
137 x 81 mm.
Madame de La Fayette. The Princess of Cleves.
Paris, Claude Barbin, 1678.
First edition of one of the main French literary works of the 17th century.
Tchemerzine, III, 838; Brunet, III, 743; Rothschild, 1537; Le Petit, 349.
Published on March 17, 1678, the book was an immense success: Madame de Sévigné expressed her enthusiasm; Fontenelle read and reread the work four times; Boursault turned it into a five-act tragedy; Valincour stirred public opinion with his “Letters...” to which abbé de Charnes replied.
Although Madame de la Fayette denied any involvement in writing the book in a letter dated April 1678, there can be no doubt today that she authored the work, influenced by the conciseness of her close friend La Rochefoucauld and advised by Segrais.
A work representative of the entire new literary school, it is the first book to correspond to the modern concept of the novel; the author’s great achievement was to reconcile, in this analytical novel, the subtle romanticism of precious wit and the sober, timeless truth of classicism.
The work also brings to life historical figures: Henry II, Catherine de’ Medici, Diane de Poitiers, Mary Stuart, and the real intrigues of the end of Henry II’s reign and the beginning of Francis II’s rule. Through unconscious transposition, the atmosphere of Louis XIV’s court is often evoked.
A refined, historical, and analytical novel, The Princess of Cleves remains a vibrant work through its portrayal of genuine emotions and the ravages of passion.
Sainte-Beuve. Portraits de femmes, Paris: 1852, p. 242. Chamard and Rudler, History and fiction in “The Princess of Cleves.” R.XVI-S. V. (1917), p. 231.
Copy elegantly bound.
