The earliest Artists' Books can be traced to William Blake in the late 18th century, an English printmaker, painter, and poet who sought creative control over his publications by integrating illustrations with text. His efforts led to the development of illuminated printing, utilizing engraved metal plates for vibrant illustrations. In the 1890s, the publishing venture Livre d’artiste emerged in France, initiated by Parisian art dealer Ambroise Vollard, who offered deluxe editions with original prints from artists like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. However, these books were rarely “self-conscious about the structure and meaning of the book as an art form.” [1] They acted more as productions rather than art creations, experimenting with conceptual or metaphysical potential.
In the early 20th century, experimental literature and independent publishing became prominent, influenced by avant-garde movements such as Dada, Russian and Italian Futurism, and German Bauhaus, prioritizing political expression and art innovation. After WWII and throughout the 1960s, artists began merging text and imagery, using inexpensive production methods to create works as responses to the political climate. In the late 1970s, this period saw the rise of modern Artists' Books, and in the 1980s, there was a growing popularity of book-like objects and sculptures.
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