Foredge Painting

Clare Brooksbank 

Clare has been producing foredge paintings for the book trade since the early 1990s and has created probably close to 1000 works. During this time she has reproduced the work of numerous great masters, some of her favourites being Michelangelo, Raphael, Breugal, Titian and many of the Pre-Raphaelites who are a common source of inspiration. She also enjoys painting erotic foredges which are always very popular.

Her academic training as a painter and sculptor began at  Reigate College, Surrey in the 1980s and she subsequently painted mostly portraits and murals. One of her portraits was exhibited in the National Portrait Gallery's, BP portrait awards 1999. Clare was introduced to Foredge painting by the renowned antiquarian book dealer Adrian Harrington of Kensington, London. Having seen some of her miniature paintings he was impressed by the detail and offered her work as a foredge painter.

Clare is now based in Derby, Derbyshire, UK and mainly produces work for direct sale, selling to collectors and dealers worldwide, through outlets such as eBay. She has also produced several commissioned works for people looking for something novel.

 What is Fore-Edge Book Painting 

A foredge painting is a little known type of book decoration which reached the height of it's popularity in Victorian Britain. Foredge paintings are watercolour decorations, painted on the pages edges (the foredge) of a book. This is achieved by fanning the page block of a book, which is then clamped, whilst an image is applied to the stepped surface of the page edges. The page edges are often themselves gilded or marbled and this results in the painted foredge disappearing when the book is closed. When refanned, the painting magically re-appears.

The art of foredge painting came into existence in the mid 17th century, but was little practiced until the end of the 18th century. Although the actual originator of foredge painting is unknown, the art reached it's peak with the Edwards of Halifax. Today foredge book painting is practiced by only a few select artists. Clare is one of them.

Brief History of Fore-Edge Painting 

The origination of foredge painting is unknown. There are a few theories concerning the development of foredge painting. In the early days of bookbinding manuscripts often had the title painted on the foredge so that they could be easily identified when stacked.

In the early 17th century, English bookbinders began a form of edge decoration where foredges were painted with highly decorative motifs, including flowers, butterflies, family mottoes, coats-of-arms, or religious images. These decorations were applied to the finest bindings only and were generally painted directly onto the foredge rather than the ‘fanned' edge. 'Concealed' pictures start to appear later, in the mid 17th century , on bibles and common prayer books. By the latter part of the 17th century, very fine works were being produced.

The concealment of paintings on the fore-edge may have been a natural progression of the trend for bookbinders to decorate the whole book. Another theory suggests that foredge painting developed from the need for the concealment of secret messages, mementoes between lovers and erotic art for gentlemen.  

This art reached it's pinnacle in the late 18th century with the popularisation of fore-edge decoration by the bookbinders and booksellers the Edwards of Halifax. The Edwards bindings were elegant, unique and achieved great success resulting in the opening of a book store in Pall Mall,  London. The practice of foredge painting became widespread, and continued through the 19th and into the 20th century when it declined and dwindled. The art of foredge painting continues to this day and is being revived by a few select artists.

Here are some examples of Clares work which demonstrate not only her skill as a painter in miniatures, but also her love of the Pre-Raphaelite style.

Clare can be contacted by email at claretxu@yahoo.co.uk

I do suggest that you pay a visit to Clares website http://www.foreedgeclare.co.uk here you will find more in depth information and a list of Clares books currently for sale.

EVERY MONTH I SEND OUT THE BOOKBINDERS DIGEST. WHICH AIMS TO BRING YOU INTERESTING ITEMS CONCERNING THE WORLD OF BOOKBINDING AND RELATED CRAFTS. IF YOU WOULD CARE TO SUBSCRIBE PLEASE JUST MAIL ME PUTTING "EDEN" IN THE SUBJECT LINE.

edenworkshops@orange.fr