Ex-libris (bookplate) - John Turner

Archive / Ex Libris Collection

Accession Nr.: MLT 1689.2.141
Artist/Maker:
McNair, James Herbert (1868 - 1955)
Date of production:
1898
Inscription: Herbert McNair-1901
Materials: paper
Techniques: etching
Dimensions:
height: 220 mm
width: 100 mm
McNair is a member of the Glasgow «The Four». Their art, just like this ex libris, is characterised by elongated, almost Gothic shapes, swirling lines at the top and bottom, as well as a calm lyricism. The narrow shape of the paper matches well the slim and tall figure of the languid dreamy young lady, representing the art of Romanticism and the ideal of the Pre- Raphaelites. The faces at her feet refer to the world of dreams and the subconscious, in accordance with the inscription «HEAR THE WORDS OF OTHER DAYS BEYOND THE VEIL OF SLEEP». The Studio magazine published the picture, without the name of the owner of the book, in its special issue 1898–1899 on ex libris.

Literature

  • Szerk.: Szilágyi András, Horányi Éva: Szecesszió. A 20. század hajnala. (Az európai iparművészet korszakai.). Iparművészeti Múzeum, Budapest, 1996. - Nr. 1.82. (Horváth Hilda)
  • White Gleeson: Modern Book-plates and Their Designers. (The Studio, Special Winter Number, 1898-1899). London, 1898. - p. 47. (terv)