René-Yves CRESTON (1898-1964) - Lot 120

René-Yves CRESTON (1898-1964) "Grand légendaire breton" or "les heures merveilleuses de la légende et de l'histoire de Bretagne". Suite of 47 woodcuts on paper "Mécanographie Guérinand Voiron", circa 1942-1947. Each plate 32.5 cm x 43.5 cm Two plates have a small hole in the margin, four in the engraving. These plates were originally intended to illustrate a collection of 50 tales of Brittany legend and history by Breton novelist Ronan Pichery, pseudonym of René Cruchon (1891-1963). This was René-Yves Creston's last major xylographic work, executed between 1941 and 1947. The work was originally scheduled for publication in May 1942 under the title "Les Heures merveilleuses de la légende et de l'histoire de Bretagne". Publication was delayed by the war, then by post-war conditions, before being abandoned altogether. The Musée Breton in Quimper holds a series of these 47 engravings (inventory numbers 1997.31.63 to 1997.31.109). Bibliography : Philippe Le Stum, René-Yves Creston wood engraver illustrator in Bernard-Jules Verlingue (ed.), René-Yves Creston, du trait à la faïence ed. AAMFQ, 2013. Consultant: Tangui Le Lonquer