From April 4th to December 31st, the book exhibition “The beauty in the book cover” runs in the National Library (in the circular corridor on the 3rd floor).
In any era, the book is a symbol of enlightenment, the reflection of time, culture, age and style. For many centuries, the book had been not only a means of conveying information, but also a subject of historical and artistic value. It embodies a unique mix of the word and the image – the work of the writer and the artist.
The existence of the book begins not from the first copy that comes out of the printing house’s walls, but much earlier. The true beginning of its life should be measured from the moment when a manuscript of a finished literary work goes to the artistic, technical and printing design. From here on, the manuscript undergoes a series of transformations through which it acquires a new specific form, in other words, it becomes a book. At this point the general idea of design is conceived, and the publication’s format, headset and font size, as well as the number of illustrations and technique of their execution, decorating system, types and grades of paper, cardboard, fabric and other materials are determined.
The exhibition “The beauty in the book cover” features about 100 items representing the book art of the XIX–XXI centuries. The exposition will acquaint with the peculiarities of book design, fonts, covers, edges and illustrations of the time.
It will be interesting to get acquainted with the book Les contes de Perrault published in Paris in 1867. It is decorated with the work of the French engraver, illustrator and painter Gustave Dore.
Separate sections of the exhibition are devoted to different styles of the book cover, spine, bookend, the cut of the book block and cover sheet.
A publication with the bookplate of Count Sheremetev performed by the artist Elizaveta Biom is also on display.
The section dedicated to the art of illustration presents the publication Histoire de Mr. Crepin which appeared in Paris in 1845. The book is created by the known Swiss designer Rodolphe Toepffer.
The assertion that the book is a work of art is regarded as of paramount importance for the national policy of the Republic of Belarus, the part of which is the annual National contest "The Art of Book ". Some editions-winners of the contest will also be presented in the exhibition.
Contact telephone: (+375 17) 293 28 86.
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