CLERGUE (Lucien). - Lot 61

CLERGUE (Lucien). Genèse. 50 photographs on themes from *Amers* selected by Saint-John Perse. Paris, Pierre Belfond, [1970]. Large quarto, publisher’s cloth binding with illustrated dust jacket. First edition of one of the most beautiful books by Lucien Clergue (1934–2014), the result of a collaboration between the great Arlesian photographer and the poet Saint-John Perse, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Inspired by *Amers*, a sweeping poem dedicated to the sea and the forces of nature, Clergue composed a series of fifty black-and-white photographs in which waves, foam, dunes, rocks, and female nudes intertwine. The book is not merely an illustration of the text, but a genuine dialogue between image and poetry, each responding to the other in a shared quest for origins, light, and the rhythms of nature. Printed with great care, this volume ranks among Lucien Clergue’s most iconic publications and fully exemplifies the refined aesthetic that has earned him international renown. It remains a landmark in the history of French photography books from the second half of the 20th century. A well-preserved copy in its illustrated dust jacket, showing some scuffing, small tears, and minor signs of wear, none of which are serious. Interior is in fresh condition. Sold as is.