8 pp. introductory text on a method for teaching color composition to children ranging from early elementary to high school, followed by 18 plates, 16 in bright pochoir colors, showing 64 total decorative patterns. Oblong octavo (8 7/8 x 11 inches). Original illustrated wrappers with pochoir decorative elements to front cover. Light chipping along bottom edge of front cover, light wear along spine, very light toning to interior pages, colors bright and fresh, small handwritten inscription in ink to front flyleaf of former owner's name, overall very good. Paris: Librairie Delagrave, 1929.

An excellent copy of this early childhood art education manual with original pochoir plates, which emphasizes the advantages of the innocence of children's eyes and hands before being 'corrupted' by extensive artistic training. The colorful designs in this volume were executed by young students between the ages of 4 and 8, from écoles maternelles and classes enfantines.

One of the authors, Madeleine Bardot, served as Inspectrice des Écoles Maternelles de la Seine and was an advocate of "l'education nouvelle", a movement which described itself in these words: "L'éducation nouvelle prépare, chez l'enfant non seulement le futur citoyen capable de remplir ses devoirs envers ses proches et l'humanité dans son ensemble, mais aussi l'être humain conscient de sa dignité d'homme." (Principe de la Ligue Internationale d'Education Nouvelle, 1921)

The other author, M. Claveau, served as a professor of drawing at the lycées and écoles normales. The two together selected 64 pieces from the best examples of student work. The majority of the geometric outlines were prepared by teachers and then filled in by the students, but the last few plates were created entirely by the students from start to finish. Geometric outlines were proposed for this age group as being less distracting but still allowing for liberal use of color.

The designs included in this volume could be applied to various crafts such as embroidery, and the authors hoped that they would be displayed in homes and in schools. A beautiful work on color theory and early childhood art education. Very scarce; as of November 2025, OCLC locates only three holdings of this title in North American libraries.

Book ID: 53380

Price: $1,950.00