About the Author

Jean-Gabriel Mitterrand opened his first gallery in 1988 in the 6th arrondissement of Paris; in 2003, he moved to rue du Temple, where he is still located today. Mitterrand has nearly 45 years of experience working with Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne, and more than 20 exhibitions have been dedicated to Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne at the gallery, which has also hosted many renowned events at venues of exception including the Château de Chenonceau in 1994, the Jardins de Bagatelle in 1998, and the Petit Trianon at the Château de Versailles in 2021. Over the years, Jean-Gabriel Mitterrand has become an essential connoisseur of the art of Lalannes, and produced around ten books and catalogs dedicated to their work. Mitterrand is also director of the Niki de Saint Phalle “Jardin du Tarot” foundation in Capalbio, as well as director of the Marta Pan Foundation. Furthermore, he is a member of the general assembly of Jean Tinguely's "Cyclope" in Milly-la-Forêt. In 1998, he was made a Knight of the Legion of Honor by President Jacques Chirac and has been an Officer of the Legion of Honor since 2016 and an Officer of Arts and Letters since 2012.

Craftsmanship

Assouline's ultimate collection is a tribute to the art of luxury bookmaking. Hand-bound using traditional techniques, with hand-stamped color plates on artist-quality paper, each page of this limited edition series bears the unique imprint of the artisan. Covering a range of subjects from jewelry and fashion, to fine art and “impossible collections,” the ultimate collection curates culture from around the world and across the ages. Nestled in linen clamshell boxes, these books attract collectors, lovers of the printed page, and those who devour the culture of our time. Signifying a new level of sophistication for true connoisseurs, these unique books are works of art in their own right.