The Making of an

Heraldic Ex Libris

 

This collection of images shows the process whereby a commission was received to develop an Ex Libris for a member of the SHA.

 

Marc van de Cruys of Belgium, a SHA member and the editor of Heraldicum Disputationes in Flanders asked Daniel to design a bookplate based on samples provided of other styles. These indicated the direction in which the "client" was thinking the design could develop.

 

Plate for Von Bruning by Georg Otto

Also sent was this basic coat of arms of Marc.

1. The artist took the cross potent as the "canvas" of the proposed work. In his usual style, connected with the helm as the starting point (see how the Von Bruning design  uses the helm from which the mantling and crest charge radiate outwards in a simple symmetry). This concept was followed with the helm in the centre of the cross "feeding the mantle" to its points. Daniels rough and bold line work on the cloth is typical of his style, however notice the change in the following drawing.

2. The cloth becomes more delicate in appearance and even the mane & mouth of the lion is unusually fine. This latter version was rejected by the client.

3. Thereafter, the artist set about evolving the cross in bold black and note how the lion has changed, It's tale becomes bold and very contemporary with the mane and snout becoming more accentuated. Even the edges of the cross disappears and the use of negative space (white) becomes more dominant. The mantling thickens and fills every available corner of the cross to full the design with the fluid motion associated with the artists style.

 

Finally the black version as accepted by Marc van de Cruys. Daniel completed this bookplate in 2003 , exactly 1 century after the suggested plate of Otto.