Heraldic Artist and Bookplate Collector

Daniel de Bruin was born in Holland in 1950 at Krimpen aan den IJssel, where he still lives today. Although he has worked for more than 30 years at the cutting edge of computer technology, his interest lies in the quiet and peaceful world of heraldic arts.

Daniel started collecting heraldic manuscripts, grants of arms and antiquarian books in 1973 and using his extensive collection as a source material, he studied heraldic art and design. By 1976 Daniel had become a passionate collector of heraldic bookplates and commissioned several of Europe's finest engravers to make bookplates for his own use and through this experience he became acquainted with the art of bookplate design. With his fast growing knowledge of heraldic and graphic arts, Daniel made his first heraldic bookplate in 1981. Discerning bookplate collectors were attracted from the beginning by his modernism and began commissioning plates from him. His vision is to combine traditional heraldry with modern graphics, imaginative concepts and integrated lettering.

His work has appeared in publications in Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Holland, Portugal and a number of other countries. Several of his bookplates were featured in Von Volborth's The Art of Heraldry.

From the mid-80's onward he exhibited work at international exlibris biennales and exhibitions from St Petersburg to Hong Kong and from Tokyo to Beograd. He has also held several personal exhibitions featuring both his own work and bookplates from his extensive historic collection. His expertise in this fine art form lead him to be the chairman of the jury of Holland's first bookplate competition in 1990.

Daniel designs and paints armorials in all the European heraldic traditions. His is marked with an ermine spot. The selection of this mark reveals the artist's sentiments using the elegant symbol of purity derived from the myth that the animal would rather to run into fire than dirty its paws in mud.

Some of Daniel's bookplates can appear to be controversial or may sometimes look avant-garde (his motto is, not surprisingly, Dare to be Different). However he does not deny traditional heraldic values and forms, on the contrary, he is adding to the artistic vision of European heraldic heritage.

Click here to see more of Daniel's works

and his "Making of Series" ....

"So shall ye finde an Arte worthe precious stones"
The Accedens of Armory
by G. Legh 1562.

Telephone:  00.31.180.518687

Danielde_bruin@hotmail.com

DANIEL'S PERSONAL WEBSITE