Fore edge Painting.Clare Brooksbank
Clare is now based in Derby, Derbyshire, UK and mainly produces work for direct sale, selling to collectors and dealers worldwide, through outlets such as eBay. She has also produced several commissioned works for people looking for something novel.
What are Foredge Paintings
Fore edge paintings are watercolour decorations, painted on the pages edges (the foredge) of a book. This is achieved by fanning the page block of a book, which is then clamped, whilst an image is applied to the stepped surface of the page edges. The page edges are often themselves gilded or marbled and this results in the painted foredge disappearing when the book is closed. When refanned, the painting magically re-appears.
Fore edge paintings came into existence in the mid 17th century, but was little practiced until the end of the 18th century. Although the actual originator of fore edge painting is unknown, the art reached it's peak with the Edwards of Halifax. Today foredge book painting is practiced by only a few select artists. Clare is one of them. Brief History of the art. The origination of fore edge paintings are unknown. There are a few theories concerning the development of this art. In the early days of bookbinding manuscripts often had the title painted on the fore edge so that they could be easily identified when stacked. In the early 17th century, English bookbinders began a form of edge decoration where foredges were painted with highly decorative motifs, including flowers, butterflies, family mottoes, coats-of-arms, or religious images. These decorations were applied to the finest bindings only and were generally painted directly onto the fore edge rather than the ‘fanned' edge. 'Concealed' pictures start to appear later, in the mid 17th century , on bibles and common prayer books. By the latter part of the 17th century, very fine works were being produced. The concealment of paintings on the fore edge may have been a natural progression of the trend for bookbinders to decorate the whole book. Another theory suggests that fore edge painting developed from the need for the concealment of secret messages, mementoes between lovers and erotic art for gentlemen.
The Edwards bindings were elegant, unique and achieved great success resulting in the opening of a book store in Pall Mall, London. The practice of fore edge painting became widespread, and continued through the 19th and into the 20th century when it declined and dwindled.
The art of painting fore edges continues to this day and is being revived by a few select artists. These are some examples of Clares fore edge paintings which demonstrate not only her skill as a painter in miniatures, but also her love of the Pre-Raphaelite style.
Clare can be contacted by email at claretxu@yahoo.co.uk
I do suggest that you pay a visit to Clares website http://www.foreedgeclare.co.uk here you will find more in depth information and a list of Clares books currently for sale.
EVERY MONTH I SEND OUT THE BOOKBINDERS DIGEST. WHICH AIMS TO BRING YOU INTERESTING ITEMS CONCERNING THE WORLD OF BOOKBINDING AND RELATED CRAFTS. IF YOU WOULD CARE TO SUBSCRIBE PLEASE JUST MAIL ME PUTTING "EDEN" IN THE SUBJECT LINE.
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Clare has been involved fore edge
painting for the book trade since the early 1990s and has
created probably close to 1000 works. During this time she
has reproduced the work of numerous great masters, some of
her favourites being Michelangelo, Raphael, Breugal,
Titian and many of the Pre-Raphaelites who are a common
source of inspiration. She also enjoys painting erotic
fore edges which are always very popular.
Fore edge paintings are
a little known type of book decoration which reached the
height of it's popularity in Victorian Britain.
