Bookplate - Lionel Lindsay | Collections Online - Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

item details

NameBookplate - Lionel Lindsay

ProductionLionel Lindsay; artist; 1930; Australia

Classificationprints, wood engravings, bookplates, works on paper

Materialspaper, ink

Materials Summarywood engraving

Techniqueswood engraving

DimensionsImage: 45mm (width), 60mm (height)

Registration Number1963-0006-117

Credit lineGift of Mrs Harold Wright, 1963

Overview

Bookplate – Lionel Lindsay is a 1933 wood engraving by the artist. It a large, swooping black eagle turning in mid-air, above a rising sun. The eagle holds a key in its beak. The body of the bird is a solid black shape, save for a few small cuts in the engraved surface to indicate the eye of the eagle and texture of its feathers. Below the sunrise scene is a black textbox with block capitals engraved in a white line technique which read: LIONEL LINDSAY – EX LIBRIS. Lindsay is known to have created a series of bookplates, particularly as special gifts to close friends. In this case however, the text indicates that this particular print was originally intended for his personal use. More than the inscription, the design itself also suggests this personal aspect. The way the eagle holds the key in its beak is similar to the Lindsay family crest, which depicts an ostrich in the same pose.

Sources:

David Maskill (ed.), Before Addled Art – The Graphic Art of Lionel Lindsay (Wellington: Adam Art Gallery, 2003)