Bizarre

Published in France in March 1960, Bizarre No. XIII-XIV is an exceptional and highly sought-after vintage issue of the celebrated French literary and graphic arts journal founded by Michel Laclos and published under Jean-Jacques Pauvert. Known for championing avant-garde art, surrealism, satirical humor, eccentric history, and unclassifiable literature, Bizarre stands as a cornerstone of mid-century European graphic culture. This double issue, bearing the provocative subtitle Dessins Inavouables (Unmentionable Drawings), gathers a extraordinary curation of subversive, surreal, and satirical artwork from premier mid-century illustrators.

The front cover features a dramatic solid black background dominated by a vibrant, circular stained-glass window motif in bold red, purple, yellow, and green tones, designed and signed by the acclaimed Belgian illustrator Jean-Michel Folon. At the center of the rosette motif, a figure holds a scroll depicting stained-glass art from Chartres Cathedral. The top header displays the ornate title BIZARRE in white calligraphic script above DESSINS INAVOUABLES — NUMÉRO SPÉCIAL. The bottom margin indicates the publication date MARS 1960 on the left and issue designation No XIII-XIV 12 N.F. on the right. Inside, the pages present a rich array of single-panel cartoons, graphic artwork, and surrealist visual sequences. An essential centerpiece collectible for avant-garde art archives, Folon collectors, and French literary history libraries.