Gravure and Grace

A study on Roger Vieillard (1907-1989), regarded as one of the greatest French engravers of the 20th century, who rejected colour printing. His election to the French Academie des Beaux-Arts in the year of his death was a final recognition of his work over the last 55 years. During this time he had made over 430 engravings and 15 "Livres d'artiste". He himself classified his subjects as architectural motifs, the human figure and subjects of "pure poetry" - abstract forms, textures, movement, light and shadow. The book contains a biographical memoir by the artist's friend, the distinguished French Academician Marc Fumaroli, an essay on the engravings by Peter Hacker of St John's College and one on the "Livre d'artiste" by Eunice Martin of the Ashmolean Museum. There is also a selection of the artist's own writings, a comprehensive catalogue of the "Livres d'artiste" and a catalogue list of the engravings which Vieillard himself compiled before his death.