Le cycle des tilleuls [with an Original Drawing]

[Neuilly, France]: Editions Al Manar, 2012. First Edition. Fine. A collection of poems in French translation, illustrated with an original pastel drawing of a tree as the frontispiece (one of 18 such copies). Adnan (1925-2021), a Lebanese American artist and poet, worked on her Série des Arbres, a group of drawings of trees, over many years. Many of the series are done in a single color of ink; this is an atypical example in colors.

In recent years, the art world has "discovered" the work of women artists; Adnan is an early example of this trend. She first gained real recognition at Documenta13, in 2012, the year this book was published, when she was in her late eighties. Two years later, she contributed to the Whitney Biennial, and since then, her work has been exhibited around the world.

In addition to painting, Adnan wrote poetry in three languages, Arabic, French, and English. The four long poems here were first written in English.

This is one of 18 copies of the first edition with an original drawing.

118, [5], [5 blank] pages, issued as unbound gatherings laid into printed paper wrappers. 8-3/4 by 6-1/2 inches. First edition (first printing). A fine copy, unbound, as issued, in a near fine paper slipcase. With a fine drawing, signed "A." This is copy no. 5 of 18, signed by Adnan on the colophon. The drawing, roughly 15 by 20 cm, is executed in pencil and four colors of pastels. Most recently, two India ink drawing from the Série des Arbres measuring 21 by 27.5 cm, sold at Kunsthaus Lempertz in 2023 for EUR 11,340 each (just over $12,000 at the time).