IGI features
Ex-libris: money-spinner for Artists/Engravers?
Mar, 30, 2007For many years I have wanted to go to an Ex-libris Congress, and last year I finally arrived at the 31st International F.I.S.A.E.(Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Amateurs d’Ex-libris) Congress held in Nyon, Switzerland.
The FISAE was started in 1940, the meetings are every two years. The next will be held in 2008 in Beijing, China, and then in 2010 in Ancara,Turkey.
Well it certainly was an eye-opener, practitioners & collectors came from all over the world. Artists/Engravers attempting to gain commissions, Collectors looking for new Ex-libris to buy or exchange to enable them to enhance their collections, plus Librarians attended to add new artworks to their libraries archives.
Ex-libris have a long and illustrious history. The name derives from the Latin phrase meaning ‘from the books of’, ‘Bookplates’ in English or ‘Bucheignerzeichen’ literally ‘book owners’ marks’ in German.
The earliest recorded Ex-libris, appear as ancient small enameled ceramic plaques, one of which is in the British Museum, a fragment of a similar plaque is at Yale University Gallery, and another plaque can be found at the Louvre. They all date from the reign of Amenophis III (1391-1353 BC), one of the great pharaohs of the 18th dynasty, whose glory was resplendent for close to forty years at the peak period of the New Empire.
Albrecht Durer (1471-1538) the well known engraver, was one of the first European artists to be commissioned to execute an Ex-libris for a client. This was certainly the epitome of the early 16th century bookplates, and deserves to be more closely looked at. Willibald Pirkheimer (1470-1530) who commissioned him, was counsellor to the Emperor Charles V, author and bibliophile and also a friend of Durer’s. It was made pre 1503 and occurs in two variants. The text ‘sibi et amicis’ means ‘belonging to him and his friends’, a reminder of the pleasure of sharing one’s treasures with friends, and also of the rarity and value of books at that time.
All over Europe, Japan, China and the American continent there are Ex-libris Societies where Artists & Collectors can come together and share work and information. Surprisingly there is no such organisation as yet here in Ireland.
I’m an avid collector and also an artist. I’ve been collecting since the fifties and especially look out for work created by my Art College tutor Wim Zwiers, who like me hails from Holland. He is a fascinating draftsman who revels in incredible detail, he will be 85 this year.
I have looked many times on E-bay, and if you do a search under Ex-libris worldwide you will find thousands of examples executed using various mediums such as etching, woodcut, wood engraving, linocut, and also methods utilising Computer Generated Design.
You can find inexpensive priced Ex-libris on E-bay from well known artists, of course as you might expect you’ll also come across older Ex-libris being sold for pretty hefty price tags.
Here’s a list of a few of my favourite artists in this field who are well worth checking out- Lou Strik, Frank Ivo van Damme, Severin, Gaudaun, David Bekker, Zetti, Rueter, Kulhanek, Zwiers and as you may imagine there are many other individuals whose work will truly inspire you.
I myself have designed Ex-libris using a mixture of drawing and computer technology. The fun here is you may also use found elements, but the design and composition are completely original. It should be noted that with this specific medium, the signature of the artist on the print is of particular importance to confirm the originality of the work among collectors.
I believe it would be most beneficial to fill a long overdue gap in this market and set up an Ex-libris society here in Ireland. I’d be very interested in hearing from people who think this could be a possibility.
Ries Hoek Artist and Ex-libris Collector.
Please contact: rieshoek@eircom.net
