Signature of Jules-Amedee Barbey d'Aurevilly, French writer and critic, 19th century. Barbey d'Aurevilly's (1808-1889) novels and stories, set in his native Cotentin, are notable portrayals of provincial life and tragic struggle. Perhaps best remembered is Les Diaboliques (1874), hallucinatory tales with a satanic motif. From a private collection.