Danse Macabre/memento mori in Ex Libris (Bookplates)

Ex Libris "from the books of..." the so called "Bookplates" are usually small prints or decorative labels pasted into a book, often on the inside front cover, to indicate its owner.

"What is to be will be"

Bookplates typically bear a name, motto, device, coat-of-arms, crest, badge, or any motif that relates to the owner of the book, or is requested by him from the artist or designer. The name of the owner usually follows an inscription such as "from the books of . . . " or "from the library of . . . ", or in Latin, ex libris .... Bookplates are important evidence for the provenance of books.

"Sed omnis una manet nox
(et calcanda semel via leti)"
"But one night waits for all
(and the road of death is to be tread once)'
Horace(Carmina, Liber I, XXVIII)

The artwork of ex libris was usually ornamental, heraldic with coat of arms or somethind simple, but some of them and during certain periods held allegorical, religious or philosophical contents, making them highy appreciated from artistic point of view. I present some with danse macabre and memento mori content, all taken from the very interesting blog Journey Round my skull

Τα Ex Libris ήταν τυπωμένα καλλιτεχνήματα σε μια από τις πρώτες σελίδες βιβλίων παλιότερων εποχών τα οποία ανέφεραν τον ιδιοκτήτη αυτού ή τη βιβλιοθήκη όπου ανήκαν. Συχνά ήταν περίτεχνες εικόνες, άλλοτε με θυρεούς, άλλοτε με αλληγορικές εικόνες θρησκευτικού, ή φιλοσοφικού περιεχομένου. θα παρουσιάσω μια σειρά από αυτά με danse macabre/memento mori θεματολογία, όλα παρμένα από το εξαιρετικό blog Journey Round my skull

artist: Michel Fingesten (1884 - 1943)

the righteous is afraid of death

artist: Michel Fingesten (1884 - 1943)