Joel-Peter Witkin: Songs of Innocence & Experience, 2004, SIGNED, Fine, #290/915

Witkin, Joel-Peter, Songs of Innocence & Experience: Poems by William Blake. Brewster, Massachusetts: 21st Century Editions, 2004. 

English, Fine limited edition #290/915 folio 13 1/4" x 12 1/4", SIGNED twice and inscribed by Witkin, [4] + 171 pp.

ISBN: 1892733110

Fine/As New limited edition folio hardcover in red cloth, Witkin circle-cropped photograph affixed to stamped recess on front panel, signed and inscribed "to Alyson, Witkin"  in marker across front endpaper. Red silk bookmark, 62 plates printed in off-set on Arches paper accompanying William Blake's famous coming-of-age series, Songs of Innocence and Experience. Introduction by John Wood. Contained in a white cloth slipcase with black silk pull ribbon, also signed across the front by Witkin. 

Joel-Peter Witkin interprets Blake's classic meditation on childhood, pushing into questions of identity, gender, race, and mortality. With the comic, horrific, and sexual extremes that have earned him so much controversy, Witkin employs his staged black-and-white photographs but also includes collage, paintings, and mixed media to bring a startling new understanding to Blake's words. This is Witkin at the height of his technical and expressive abilities, one great artist responding to another. A stunning collection in gift-worthy condition.