Beschrijving

The volume gathers a selection of biting and provocative illustrations by Belgian-French artist Martin van Maele, known for his erotic, satirical and fantastical imagery from the turn of the 20th century. The drawings reflect van Maele’s interest in excess, myth, subversion of norms and the grotesque – often blending classical allusions with decadent humour and visual provocation.

Within the book, the author/illustrator’s work is presented as a unified collection of plates (around 44 numbered illustrations) in a lavishly produced edition, accompanied by an introduction (by Mel L. Sokolow) placing van Maele’s art in its social and artistic context. The tone is elegant yet subversive, offering readers an opportunity to engage with a lesser‐known figure of erotic and satirical art.

Ideal for collectors, art historians and readers with an interest in fin-de-siècle erotic art and graphic satire, this book provides both visual richness and cultural commentary. Its limited availability and niche subject matter further make it a desirable item for connoisseurs of rare illustrated books. If you like, I can prepare bullet-point highlights suitable for a sales listing.