Arthur Rimbaud : entre lisible et visible

Over two hundred artists have illustrated Arthur Rimbaud’s poetry. Key figures of the 20th century: Sonia Delaunay, Fernand Léger, Robert Mapplethorpe. Renowned illustrators: Luc-Albert Moreau, Mariette Lydis. Artists who have made the book their speciality: Honorine Tepfer, François Righi. Unknown artists.

This catalogue raisonné reveals the exceptional richness of the collection of illustrated books and artists’ books dedicated to the poet, shared between the Arthur Rimbaud Museum and the Voyelles media library in Charleville-Mézières. Through the presentation of nearly 230 works that make up the collection to date, this collection bears witness to the unbroken fascination that Rimbaud has exerted on visual artists of all backgrounds, from the 1920s to the present day. From prestigious editions of the early 20th century to the most contemporary and experimental artists’ books, the volume explores the ongoing dialogue between the readable and the visible, demonstrating how the image can in turn illuminate, extend or disrupt the poetic text.