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Does the artist always design the bookplate especially for the client?
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It is great to have a bookplate that is designed especially for you, chiefly when it has an image that reflects a specific aspect of you and/or your interests.
Alongside is shown, as an example, one of the many bookplates created by the Dutch-Flemish artist André Vlaanderen who always designed a bookplate in function of the client. The main theme here is inspired by the name of the titular which, translated in English, means 'from beyond the field'. On top of the image we see the typical profile of the 13th century belfry of Bruges, the town where the client was living and where he had his bike factory. Most of the artists will be willing to make a client tailored bookplate but you'll have to be patient because it may take several weeks or even months before you get your prints in hands. |
Bookplate by A.Vlaanderen.
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If you don't want to wait that long time, an alternative can consist in asking to the artist for adapting one of his 'free' prints by adding the expression 'ex-libris' and your name. There are artists who mainly work in this way: they have a number of finished plates from which you can choose one that pleases you and on which the artist will add your name to the drawing.
In this way your bookplate is starting from a real piece of art. The original plate can be so considerably altered that it barely can be recognized. |
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Sometimes it may be hard to find the titular's name or initials in the plate because it is hidden in the drawing. Some artists after all don't like to 'disturb' their artistic concept by a striking text. (Or maybe it was the titular's wish.)
For the same reason the artist sometimes omits the expression 'ex-libris'. |
      Search the titular's name. Click to enlarge the pictures.
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The Czech artist Čapová has made a beautiful series of etchings with the zodiac signs. The image contains the text 'EXL' but the name of the client is missing. However the artist has written in pencil in the bottom margin. Unfortunately the name sometimes is barely legible as shown in the picture here beside.
Actually one could consider these kind of bookplates as freely created graphic works of art. |
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In the example here beside, the late Slovak artist Ondreička used the following particular solution.
He also started from a plate without text but, in addition, he cut a round piece out of a copper plate in which he etched the text 'ex libris' as well as his client's name. Then he printed it in the bottom margin of the bookplate but without inking this small text plate. The result is a kind of blind print showing the data in relief, very subtly but clear enough, without 'disturbing' his drawing. |
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