“ALBA NERO”

Photography by Ron van Dongen

Published by Nazraeli Press, Tucson, AZ, 1999

DELUXE LIMITED EDITION with PRINT

FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING (Scarce)

INTRODUCTION

Ron van Dongen's FIRST monograph with Nazraeli Press, Alba Nero hit the street running in the fast lane. The First Edition, First Printing of Alba Nero was sold-out upon publication. The title was then reissued as a First Edition, Second Printing a few years later (2002), and has its own ISBN number to not confuse the First Printing with the Second Printing.

There are only 25 copies of the DELUXE LIMITED EDITION. Alba Nero contains a 14 x 11-inch gelatin silver print, which is SIGNED and NUMBERED by the Artist, plus a First Edition/FIRST PRINTING book, which is also SIGNED, and placed in a specially designed black fabric covered CLAMSHELL box with a tipped-in PRINT on the cover. Alba Nero is a truly beautiful presentation. Ron van Dongen is known for genetically cross-breeding orchards to get amazing variants of flowers. He grows all the flowers that he photographs. Incredible as he excels dramatically in BOTH TRADES.

FOR THE BOTANIST(S) IN THE FAMILY

The title of the Limited-Edition print is “Papaver nudicaule” and can be described as follows: Papaver nudicaule is an Iceland Poppy. Iceland Poppies are short-lived perennials, native to subpolar regions of northern Europe and North America, that usually self-seed and come back year after year. Plants form a low tuft of light green leaves, bearing large, satiny, lightly fragrant flowers on hairy stems. The bowl-shaped flowers last for weeks on end, in a range of shades including cream, yellow, salmon, orange, pink and red. Removing faded flowers will encourage more buds to form. Allow at least a few flowers to set seed for future generations. Drought tolerant once established. Excellent for cutting, if picked just as the buds begin to open.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The First Edition, First Printing of Alba Nero by Ron van Dongen sold out upon publication in 1999. Alba Nero was Ron van Dongen's first monograph of large-scale floral still life's, and this First Printing presents thirty of van Dongen's powerful and exquisite images, beautifully printed in duotone in an oversized 14 x 17-inches and presents in hardcover format. In his formally seductive series of botanical studies, van Dongen unearths floral secrets and prickly symbols of our alternately nurturing and perilous relationship with nature. He shows us flowers as resourceful and delicate, decorative and essential, sacred and sensual, life force and death knell – and always suggestive of all that is beyond our tethered reach. Plucked from their backyard habitat and brought indoors, these dazzling arums, anemones, and Palavers are isolated or paired for the camera as emblems of a postmodern struggle between nature's vagabond wilderness and culture's manipulation of its blithe freedom. Van Dongen's work has been widely shown in the US and abroad, and is included in the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. There is an Introduction titled Earthly Delights (1999) by Steven Jenkins.

SUMMARY

This DELUXE LIMITED EDITION of Alba Nero is presented in AS NEW/PRISTINE condition and was purchased directly from the Publisher. Alba Nero has been carefully stored in a clean air environment, with temperature and humidity regulated. The book has not been previously owned or handled. The clamshell box contains the FIRST PRINTING of Alba Nero and a LIMITED-EDITION PRINT titled “Papaver nudicaule.” Alba Nero contains 56 pages with 30 duotone images. As is van Dongen's style, this hardcover book measures 14 x 17 inches, with the large format being van Dongen's easel on which he paints his images. Alba Nero is covered in rich black cloth, with a plate tipped-in on the cover, along with the title Alba Nero, which provides some contrast to the dark cover. The reproduction of the images is brilliant and incredibly staged, and printed on heavy fine matte art paper by Ocean Graphic Productions in China. Alba Nero is a terrific start for this extraordinary talented Artist, Ron van Dongen.

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As always, if you have any questions about this item or this auction, please contact me BEFORE you purchase this item. All sales must befinalgiven the sealed condition of this title. Of course, if something happens to the book in transit, or if the book does not match the stated condition in this auction, then I will accept returns. If "sealed" then cannot return as unsealed. Photograph or save box if claiming transit issues. Photograph (use mobile device) if claiming damage not referenced in the auction. The book cannot be returned if damaged after received. Legitimacy is assured.