Edition:
-
10 deluxe copies numbered from 1 to 10, each including one of the ten original engraving plates by Louise Bescond
-
40 copies numbered from 11 to 50
-
6 non-commercial copies (not for sale) copies numbered I to VI
-
All copies are signed by the author and the artist.
NAISSANCE D'UN LIVRE
Artist’s book co-published with the Atelier du Livre d’Art et de l’Estampe of the Imprimerie Nationale
What is a book? Spirit materialised in the form of a printed volume that celebrates the union of ink, lead and paper. But before it can become this extraordinary tool for transmitting thought, the book is first a project: the wager of an author grappling with their idea of the work to be written. The book in its nascent state is handwritten: it is loose sheets covered in crossings-out that record the formidable work of writing on writing by which the writer invents their text. This book on the book will therefore begin with these mysterious autograph adventures that tell the emergence of the text, from the very first scenario to its final version, via sketches, rough drafts, second thoughts, repentances, corrections, and up to the final typewritten “press-ready” text. To enter the secret laboratory of this creative process, we will follow, line by line, the genesis of one of Flaubert’s pages — the incipit of La légende de Saint-Julien l’hospitalier; it will be as if we were witnessing the book being written, hidden behind the writer’s shoulder as he works to blacken his large sheets of blue paper.
Publication date: April 2026
Box size : N/A
Book size : N/A
Bibliophile Edition Price: €3,500
Deluxe Edition Price: €4,600
AUTHORS, ARTISTS AND ARTISANS
The rare book as a living space of creation, art, and memory
IMPRIMERIE NATIONALE
Atelier du Livre d'art et de l'Estampe de l'Imprimerie Nationale
The origin of the Atelier du Livre d'Art et de l'Estampe (Art Book and Print Workshop) dates back to 1538, when Francis I appointed the first king's printer for Greek, a founding act in the history of printed writing in France. Heir to the Royal Printing House founded in 1640, which successively became the Imprimerie de la République, Imperial, and National Printing House, it preserves a unique collection of punches, listed as a historic monument. Drawing on rare expertise spanning the entire typographic and intaglio printing chain, the workshop collaborates with artists and publishers on exceptional projects.
LOUISE BESCOND
Art bookbinder
Born in 1984 in Les Lilas, Louise Bescond lives in Brussels since 2005. A graduate of the École Estienne, she obtained a master's degree in bookbinding from La Cambre in 2008. Her career took off in 2013with her first exhibition at the Librairie Nicaise. Between 2015 and 2019, she furthered her studies with Renaud Vernier, Maître d’art. Supported by leading figures in the art world, her bindings were exhibited at the Galerie Charpentier in 2017 and at the Librairie Métamorphoses in 2021.
PIERRE-MARC DE BIASI
Author, artist, researcher
Pierre-Marc de Biasi is an artist, researcher, and writer. His work is located at the intersection of visual arts, literary research, and humanities. Author of numerous books and producer for Arte and France Culture, he regularly exhibits both in France and internationally.
Contact us
Please contact us to learn more about our artist’s books, arrange a private viewing, or share an acquisition project. We would be delighted to discuss these rare and singular works with you.
contact@editionslealtorres.com
Tel: + 33 (0)6 16 34 81 69
790 Avenue Maurice Donat BAT D
06250 Mougins