Chien-Caillou, Champfleury, Stichting “De Roos,” 1980, 11/175, Bresdin, Fine

 Champfleury.  Utrecht: Stichting "De Roos", 1980. Fine, No. 11 of 175 copies, 8vo, 8 1/2" x 7 1/2." Text in French.

Gray-brown cloth-covered boards with silver-foil lettering on spine. Blind-stamped lettering on front. Covers have mild fading and wear to extremities, else pristine and intact, binding tight, sharp tips. Pages pristine and intact. Two semi-transparent leaves with black-and-white illustrations of Bresdin's prints are included. 37 pp., including illustrations. Jules Fleury-Husson (1821-1889), who wrote under the pseudonym, "Champfleury," was a French author and art critic who forwarded the Realist movement in art and literature. He was among the first to promote the Realist art of Gustave Courbet. This is _Chien-Caillou_, a story by Champfleury featuring the eponymous fictional character based on Rodolphe Bresdin (1822-1885). Bresdin was an actual French artist who is perhaps best-known for his drawings, etchings, and engravings. Bresdin was also known by the moniker, "Chien-Caillou," like Champfleury's character. He lived an eccentric and bohemian lifestyle. Both Bresdin and the fictional Chien-Caillou embody the impoverished yet noble artist who stays committed to his craft. Introduction about Champfleury and Bresdin in front. Excerpt from back colophon: "Le tirage sur papier Velasques a ete fixe a 175 exemplaires numerotes de 1-175, destines exclusivement aux membres de la Societe 'De Roos,' et quelques exemplaires de chapelle. Exemplaire numero 11."