The Fore-Edge Painting
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A Fore-edge painting is a minute painting completed on the page edges of a book.
Looking at the page edges shows only gold yet when the pages are angled slightly a painting 'magically' appears. It really is impressive to see.
Generally antique books are used and these paintings, as with any other, can range in date from modern versions to true antique pieces of art.
No book that I know of is printed with a fore edge originally - it is the artists that chooses which book/ which design they wish to paint and as such each fore edge painting is nearly unique. The books chosen are often if not always gilt edged (this will most likely be a feature of the book from publication and not done by the painters due to cost).
Generally antique books are used and these paintings, as with any other, can range in date from modern versions to true antique pieces of art.
No book that I know of is printed with a fore edge originally - it is the artists that chooses which book/ which design they wish to paint and as such each fore edge painting is nearly unique. The books chosen are often if not always gilt edged (this will most likely be a feature of the book from publication and not done by the painters due to cost).
If you are looking to buy one then I would suggest eBay and warn you that these books are costly, especially for the higher quality versions. Prices can run as low as £40 for small books with basic paintings up to the thousand mark for the elaborate paintings and beyond for even higher grade paintings.
For a nice fore edge painting you should expect to spend £150 approx and to have to wait a few months for the right book to appear online. auction (not buy-it-now_ on eBay is my best suggestion but Abeboks.co.uk is good too (but very expensive for these type of books).
For a nice fore edge painting you should expect to spend £150 approx and to have to wait a few months for the right book to appear online. auction (not buy-it-now_ on eBay is my best suggestion but Abeboks.co.uk is good too (but very expensive for these type of books).
I have attempted to show below the process of viewing a fore-edge painting.
Turn the book to its side
Take the text block between your fingers and slowly tilt/ spread the pages
An image will slowly appear
Keep the pages at the angle that reveals the image best
Close the book and the painting is hidden once more
The photos do not do the image justice, nor the effect.
That a simple motion can make a painting appear out of no-where is quite remarkable to experience.
If you need any help/ advice please don't hesitate to contact me at vaugc002@gmail.com
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Thanks for reading
That a simple motion can make a painting appear out of no-where is quite remarkable to experience.
If you need any help/ advice please don't hesitate to contact me at vaugc002@gmail.com
A share or a +1 is always appreciated too!
Thanks for reading
Hi Chris. Nice little blog and if you can add that there are current painters of book edges who continue this tradition, even on modern books. Have a look at www.foredgefrost.co.uk, www.clarebrooksbank.co.uk for some interesting work. Martin Frost
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