Publisher's Synopsis
Despite the recent emergence of handheld electronic text readers, the physical book remains one of civilization's most enduring cultural artifacts. The actual book itself can be a carefully crafted art object-one which can be appreciated on its own, apart from the text it contains. A new exhibition at the Bodleian Library celebrates the craft of artistry of bookbinding through the last millennium, and this accompanying exhibition catalog, An Artful Craft, beautifully reproduces over 100 lavish bookbindings in full color.
Featuring ancient, decorative, and unusual bindings, An Artful Craft was culled from the extensive collection held by the Bodleian Library, including the renowned Broxbourne collection. It also includes books from the Sir Paul Getty Library at Wormsley and from a private collection that have never before been exhibited. Arranged in thematic sections, such as East meets West and Artists and Craftsmen, the book is brilliantly designed and includes foldout sections to illustrate some full bindings.
An Artful Craft promises to be an important resource for all scholars of the book, as well as a collector's item to be cherished by artists, writers, and booklovers alike.
