Contes du Temps Jadis (1912) – Charles Perrault, Illustrated by Umberto Brunelleschi

Contes du Temps Jadis (Tales of Times Past) is a sumptuous 1912 French edition of Charles Perrault’s beloved fairy tales, illustrated by the celebrated Italian artist Umberto Brunelleschi. Published in Paris by Henri Piazza, a publisher known for luxurious limited editions, this book is one of the finest examples of early 20th-century French book illustration. It captures the grace, fantasy, and elegance of Perrault’s stories with a refined visual sensibility rooted in Rococo and Art Deco aesthetics.

The collection includes classic Perrault tales such as Cendrillon (Cinderella), Le Petit Chaperon Rouge (Little Red Riding Hood), La Belle au bois dormant (Sleeping Beauty), Le Chat Botté (Puss in Boots), and Barbe-Bleue (Bluebeard). These stories, originally published in 1697, helped establish the literary fairy tale genre and have influenced European storytelling for centuries.

Brunelleschi’s illustrations are rich in detail and color, reflecting both 18th-century elegance and the exotic charm of Orientalist fantasy. This edition features vibrant pochoir color plates—hand-stenciled prints known for their brilliant tones—and refined line drawings that echo the decorative flair of fashion illustration and theatrical costume design. The characters are adorned in lavish period dress, set against intricate architectural and natural backdrops that enhance the magical quality of each tale.

A jewel of Art Deco illustration, this edition is essential for fairy-tale connoisseurs and lovers of early modernist book art.

About the Illustrator Umberto Brunelleschi:

Umberto Brunelleschi (1879–1949) was an Italian-born artist, costume designer, and illustrator who rose to prominence in Paris during the early 20th century. Known for his theatrical, opulent style, Brunelleschi worked for La Vie Parisienne and other fashion and art publications, as well as in stage and costume design. His book illustrations often combined Art Nouveau line work with Art Deco glamour and Rococo charm. In Contes du Temps Jadis, his work exemplifies his ability to blend fantasy with sophistication, making it one of the most visually enchanting renditions of Perrault’s stories.

For the Collector’s Library:

• Contes d’Andersen (1931) – Also illustrated by Brunelleschi, matching this edition’s opulent style.
• Les Fleurs Animées (1867) – J.J. Grandville’s surreal flower fairy tales, a precursor to Brunelleschi’s whimsy.
• Sleeping Beauty and Other Fairy Tales (1910) – Edmund Dulac’s contemporary take on Perrault’s stories.
• Contes des Mille et Une Nuits (1926), illustrated by Léon Carré – A French Arabian Nights with stunning decorative imagery.
• Les Fables de La Fontaine (1922), illustrated by Benjamin Rabier – A playful and colorfully illustrated edition of France’s most beloved fables.

Art Gallery: Umberto Brunelleschi – Contes du Temps Jadis 1912