Delacroix - Colour Library of Art (1969 First Edition), 49 Plates in Full Colour

A handsomely produced large-format volume from Paul Hamlyn's celebrated Colour Library of Art series, featuring 49 full-colour plates and additional black and white illustrations that illuminate the artistic range of Eugène Delacroix. Phoebe Pool provides a concise but authoritative introduction to the painter's life, influences, techniques, and major works, accompanied by high quality reproductions printed on coated stock. The layout includes biographical context, commentary on Delacroix's artistic philosophy, and a detailed catalogue of selected works. The book's Italian production, a hallmark of early Hamlyn art volumes, showcases vibrant colour reproduction and strong binding typical of the series. Condition - Book: Very Good overall: clean grey-green cloth boards with bright gilt titling and facsimile signature; light toning to page edges consistent with age; binding sound and pages clean. Condition - Jacket: Fair to Good only: edgewear, several chips and tears (notably at crown/top edge), surface wear/rubbing to both panels. Unclipped. Presents decently in new archival mylar. Edition/Printing Notes: Copyright 1969 with no subsequent printings stated; consistent with Paul Hamlyn's production practices, this indicates a first edition / first printing of the Colour Library of Art Delacroix volume, printed in Italy. Phoebe Pool (1913-1971) was a respected British art historian and scholar associated with the Courtauld Institute, known for her clear, accessible writing on Impressionism and modern art. She authored several influential works, including Impressionism and contributions to the Colour Library of Art series, and was admired for bringing academic rigor to books designed for a broad readership. Her texts remain valued for their concision, lucidity, and strong grounding in European art history.…