La Femme à Paris: Nos Contemporaines
By Octave Uzanne
Illustrated by Pierre Vidal
Paris, 1894
Deluxe Japan Paper Edition, One of 110 Copies
Custom Bound by Gebrüder Hug, Zürich
A remarkable and highly collectible Belle Époque volume, La Femme à Paris is both a cultural chronicle and a work of art, capturing the many facets of Parisian womanhood at the close of the 19th century. Written by Octave Uzanne, a leading voice of fin de siècle literary and artistic circles, the book moves through the lives, roles, and environments of women in Paris with wit, elegance, and sharp observation.
Structured as a series of thematic explorations, the work examines the Parisienne in her many forms, from the fashionable boulevard figure to the artist’s model, the working woman, the hostess, the reader, and beyond. It offers a vivid portrait of a city and a moment in time shaped deeply by feminine presence and influence.
The visual program elevates the book into something extraordinary. Illustrated by Pierre Vidal, it includes 20 plates in both colored and uncolored states, along with numerous vignettes woven throughout the text. The imagery is unmistakably Art Nouveau, with flowing lines, decorative rhythm, and a fascination with beauty, movement, and modern life.
This example is particularly special.
It is one of just 110 numbered copies printed on Japan paper, a deluxe issue prized for its exceptional quality, soft texture, and clarity of impression. These editions were produced for collectors and represent the highest tier of the publication.
The binding further distinguishes the piece. Executed by Gebrüder Hug of Zürich, it features richly worked red leather with elaborate gilt decoration and inlaid color detailing, transforming the book itself into a decorative object of equal importance to its contents.
This is not simply a book. It is a complete Belle Époque artifact, where literature, illustration, design, and craftsmanship come together to capture the spirit of Paris at the dawn of modernity.
Condition
Very good antique condition
Binding richly preserved with light wear consistent with age
Interior clean with strong impressions
Plates and vignettes well preserved
A rare and visually striking example of French Art Nouveau publishing, combining cultural significance with exceptional craftsmanship.
La Femme à Paris: Nos Contemporaines
By Octave Uzanne
Illustrated by Pierre Vidal
Paris, 1894
Deluxe Japan Paper Edition, One of 110 Copies
Custom Bound by Gebrüder Hug, Zürich
A remarkable and highly collectible Belle Époque volume, La Femme à Paris is both a cultural chronicle and a work of art, capturing the many facets of Parisian womanhood at the close of the 19th century. Written by Octave Uzanne, a leading voice of fin de siècle literary and artistic circles, the book moves through the lives, roles, and environments of women in Paris with wit, elegance, and sharp observation.
Structured as a series of thematic explorations, the work examines the Parisienne in her many forms, from the fashionable boulevard figure to the artist’s model, the working woman, the hostess, the reader, and beyond. It offers a vivid portrait of a city and a moment in time shaped deeply by feminine presence and influence.
The visual program elevates the book into something extraordinary. Illustrated by Pierre Vidal, it includes 20 plates in both colored and uncolored states, along with numerous vignettes woven throughout the text. The imagery is unmistakably Art Nouveau, with flowing lines, decorative rhythm, and a fascination with beauty, movement, and modern life.
This example is particularly special.
It is one of just 110 numbered copies printed on Japan paper, a deluxe issue prized for its exceptional quality, soft texture, and clarity of impression. These editions were produced for collectors and represent the highest tier of the publication.
The binding further distinguishes the piece. Executed by Gebrüder Hug of Zürich, it features richly worked red leather with elaborate gilt decoration and inlaid color detailing, transforming the book itself into a decorative object of equal importance to its contents.
This is not simply a book. It is a complete Belle Époque artifact, where literature, illustration, design, and craftsmanship come together to capture the spirit of Paris at the dawn of modernity.
Condition
Very good antique condition
Binding richly preserved with light wear consistent with age
Interior clean with strong impressions
Plates and vignettes well preserved
A rare and visually striking example of French Art Nouveau publishing, combining cultural significance with exceptional craftsmanship.