A binding by Selwyn Image for Nancy Bell’s ‘Representative Painters of the Nineteenth Century’ (original) (raw)

Cloth binding for ‘Representative Painters of the Nineteenth Century’

Selwyn Image

1899

Cloth binding with gilt design

11¾ x 8¼ inches

A vibrant design which mediates between the styles of Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau. Though based on observation, the imagery of acorns is symbolic of the growth of a strong, indigenous tradition in art. Signed 'SI' in the bottom left. The inclusion of ‘Cordium’ refers to the idea of sweetness and the whole design suggests the beauty of the natural world as a metaphor for art: an interesting reversal of the usual equation of art imitating nature.

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Photograph and text by Simon Cooke

From the Simon Cooke Collection [You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link to this URL in a web document or cite it in a print one.]