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GAUTIER, Théophile.
Le Roi Candaule.
King Candaules became intoxicated with the beauty of his wife Nyssia . He conceives the strange project of sharing his admiration as an esthete by proposing to the young and handsome Gygès, the chief of the palace guards, to secretly come and see his wife in her simple nudity. Horrified by this sacrilegious request, Gyges initially refuses but can only obey his king. Hiding in the bridal chamber, Gyges discovers the incredible beauty of Nyssia and immediately falls in love with her. For her part, the queen has it all figured out. She later summons Gyges and orders him to kill Candaules or kill himself, "because two of the four pupils where my nudity was reflected must be extinguished before this evening". Drugged by Nyssia, Candaules is stabbed in his bed by Gygès who becomes the new king and marries Nyssia. The Sardians, indignant at the death of Candaules, pretended to rise up; but the oracle of Delphi having declared for Gyges, who had sent him a large number of silver vases and six gold bowls weighing thirty talents, the new king maintained himself on the throne of Lydia, that he kept busy for many years, lived happily and showed his wife to no one, knowing only too well what it cost.
- Published
- Paris: A. Ferroud, 1893.
- Plates
- 21
- Binding/Size
- S=8vo
- Value
- 0-5000
- Published
- Paris: A. Ferroud, 1893.
- Ref
- 1357
1 vol. in-8. Demi-maroquin moderne orangé à coins, dos à nerfs, pièces de titre et de tomaison de maroquin noir, motif doré au centre du dos, tête dorée, couvertures et dos conservés, gardes et doublures de papier granité. Tirage limité à 500 exemplaires, celui-ci un des 200 premiers exemplaires sur vélin d'Arches, avec trois états des eaux-fortes, eaux-fortes pures, eaux-fortes terminées avant la lettre ainsi qu'une suite avec la lettre. Dans notre exemplaire, un état est colorié à la main, un état est avec remarques. Avec deux feuillets du spécimen à paraître faisant la promotion de l'ouvrage, in fine. Exemplaire en parfait état intérieur avec cette amusante singularité des planches en couleurs. 8vo. Modern 3/4 orange morocco with black morocco labels, with gilt lettering to spine. Floral gilt motif to spine. Top edge gilt. Edition limited to 500 copies, this copy is # 175, and is on Japanese wove paper. Excellent condition. Each etching is in three states; one is hand coloured; one is proof before letters; one is used in the text. King Canaules is a semi-legendary ruler of Lydia (modern-day Turkey in Asia) during the 8th century B.C. He was the last ruler of the dynasty of Heraclides - who claimed descent from Heracles. Coloured plates in order: 1. Half-title page. Gyges has stabbed the King with his dagger. Nyssia stands over him, holding the crown. 2. Nyssia. 3. Royal procession into Lydia, Nyssia rides on the back of an Elephant. 4. A group of young maidens, including Nyssia are passed on a road by a warrior (Gyges) on horseback. 5. Priestess and a Dragon. 6. Nyssia sits on a cloud, surrounded by cherubs. 7. A cherub paints an eye onto a wall. A Parrot sits on a perch. 8. The King has a dream. 9. The king views his queen in all her nudity and beauty. 10. Giant wielding a club. 11. King Candaule and Gyges. 12. The King lies in bed, watching Nyssia undress. 13. Cupid peers between the cracks in an open door. 14. Nyssia lies in her bed-chamber, with furniture upturned, etc., she is in a state of turmoil. 15. Nyssia, attended by her slaves. 16. Young Nyssia and a goat herder as young lovers under a tree. 17. Nyssia dances before the king during a feast. 18. Part of a painting showing a slave pouring oil over her mistress. 19. Nyssia stands naked beside the bed of her sleeping husband and king. 20. Nyssia tells Gyges that he must kill the king or be killed himself. 21. Cupid, with a dagger in hand, floats over a club and the royal crown.
