Book history: “Artist Book” project launched in the Moscow Manege

Exhibition "Publisher Vollard and his artists" in the "Manege" Central Exhibition Hall opens a new project called "Artist book." This is a literal translation of the French term that emerged in 1900. It was then, that Paul Verlaine’s poem "In parallel" with lithographs by Bonnard was released. The book marked the beginning of not only a publishing activity of Ambroise Vollard, but of a new genre too.

The exhibition features 350 works and over 20 publications. The famous French art dealer initiated a new genre - livre d'artiste - artist book. These books - above all - are visual objects. And they were created as works of art. Emphasized was not the literary text, but the illustrations. Publications were not even stitched. The sheets were kept in separate boxes or cases.

The exhibition presents a unique exhibit - a poem by Paul Verlaine, "In parallel" - one of the few stitched works.