8vo. 198 pp., [2], French text, 41 illustrations by Etienne Dinet enhanced with gouache (18 full-page including 8 doubles and 23 in text of which 3 are doubles, 4 full page decorative arabesques, double page of Qur’an script), text and plates within decorated borders, + a supplement containing loose facsimiles of the illustrations fitted in a sleeve, original wrappers fitted in half calf folder & similar slipcase, folder with title gilt on raised spine and laces, Limited numbered edition of 450 copies, of which this copy is Number 25 on Japon paper, weak spine, otherwise copy clean & in very good condition, H. Piazza, Paris, 1911.

Synopsis

Alphonse-Étienne Dinet, also known as Nasr’ Eddine Dinet (1861-1929) was a French orientalist painter, who lived in Algeria for more than 30 years. Dinet’s understanding of Arab culture and language set him apart from other orientalist artists. Surprisingly, he was able to find nude models in rural Algeria. Before 1900, most of his works could be characterised as “anecdotal genre scenes”. As he became more interested in Islam, he began to paint religious subjects more often. He was active in translating Arabic literature into French, publishing a translation of a 13th century Arab epic poem by Antarah ibn Shaddad in 1898.