1828 ❧ 'The most significant illustrated book of its time.' DELACROIX, EUGÈNE (1798-1863, Illustrator) - GOETHE, JOHANN WOLFGANG VON (1749-1832) Faust. [Paris: Goyer & Hermet, 1828.] Folio (457 x 325 mm). Lithograph title and 17 lithograph plates by Motte after Delacroix. Without the portrait. Original wrappers bound in. Modern 3/4 morocco gilt over marbled boards. FIRST EDITION of Delacroix's illustrations to Faust: 'the most significant illustrated book of its time' (Ray) and generally credited as the first in the French tradition of livres de peintres. Delacroix was inspired to illustrate the work by a performance of the play he attended in London in 1825. Originally intended for publication as an album by Charles Motte later that year (and as presented by this copy with the text removed), the lithographs were not issued together until three years later. Delacroix used the lithographs 'to astonish the middle class,' intending them as a manifesto for Romanticism in art. According to Ray, 'the book met with the expected hostile reception ... Traditional critics were outraged that he was given to exaggeration.' The one early viewer who did appreciate their greatness, however, was Goethe himself, who upon first seeing them in 1826 wrote, 'One must acknowledge that this M. Delacroix has a great talent, which in Faust has found its true nourishment ... I have to agree that M. Delacroix has surpassed the scenes of my writing.' Castleman 16; Ray French 143. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing