Ukrainian book art: ways of formation and development

The purpose of the article is to study the development of the directions of Ukrainian book art, the formation of new creative features in the European cultural space. The research methodology consists in the application of general scientific methods (analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction) and methods of art history (comparative, typological, descriptive). The scientific novelty lies in the study of book art, which has always been important in Ukrainian art. Conclusions. Today, we have a large amount of fine works in the genre of book illustrations. These works reflected both the history of the Ukrainian literature, history of the national graphic art, as well as the history of cultural progress of Ukraine in general. Thus, book art is an extremely fruitful object of study, an intersection point, where the complicated process of interaction of socio-political, spiritual, cultural and artistic and aesthetic factors is underway. Thus, Ukrainian book graphics in different periods reflected all European trends – modernism, symbolism, neo-primitive art, futurism, cubism, expressionism, constructivism, realism, surrealism, Art Deco, neoclassicism. The originality of the artistic language emerged through the use of traditional motifs and vanguard image creation tools. Keywords: research, culture, illustration, book, art, national traditions.

The Evolvement of the Israeli Grandmother – As Reflected in Children’s Book Illustrations

Gender and ageism as mirrored in illustrations of grandmothers in Hebrew children’s books (1930-2020), shed light on the Israeli reality, which shows the world’s portrayal of grandmothers as sometimes empowering and sometimes discriminatory. This article draws from the fields of the visual arts, gender studies, sociology, and culture, and emphasizes the power of illustration in children’s literature as an activistic tool for changing social and familial awareness among young receivers. The grandmother (and, recently, also the grandfather) is a popular character in children’s literature. The article will present models which shape the consciousness of children’s book illustrators regarding old age with the aid of many visual examples. This article will enable deeper understanding of the gender-based messages and effects of visual interpretation. This study can serve as a tool for educators and parents, to help children develop critical, independent, and value-based thinking. The article concludes that in today’s books, grandmothers appear more connected to advanced technology than ever. The illustrators of today’s children’s books connect with the model of the new grandmother and draw her wearing jeans and without wrinkles. In parallel, we also see traditionally-portrayed grandmothers in certain illustrations in recent books, from a post-feminist, rather than stereotypical, approach.

Bestselling ‘beeldekens’. Hendrik Consciences “Hoe men schilder wordt” (1843) en de negentiende-eeuwse populaire beeldcultuur

Around the mid-nineteenth century, European literature abounded with book illustrations and the use of a pictorial style. Depending on the context and perspective, this literary fashion was associated with a threatening democratization of literature or perceived as a chance to reach new audiences. This article investigates whether the striking interactions between text and image in the internationally popular novella Hoe men schilder wordt (1843) by the Flemish author Hendrik Conscience can be regarded as a factor in its nineteenth-century popularity, and as a starting point for Conscience’s current image as an author of ‘popular’ literature, aiming at broad upcoming audiences.

Nicolae Macarenco - representative artist of satirical graphics

A prominent figure in the field of satirical graphics in the Republic of Moldova, Nicolae Macarenco, throughout his artistic career, conceived with great skill and dedication book illustrations for literary works signed by Aureliu Busuioc, Evgeniy Kopylov, Iosif Gherasimov, Alla Grekul, posters and aesthetically expressive and semantically valuable caricatures. Prodigious, talented, persevering and devoted to his profession, the protagonist is one of the established artists who, through his vocation and talent, marked an entire era in the satirical art of the Republic. Working successfully, especially in the genres of satirical-humorous graphics, the graphic designer gave birth to works that were frequently published in important periodicals such as the satire and humor magazine Chipăruş, the magazine Femeia Moldovei, the newspaper Tinerimea Moldovei and others. The study highlights both the thematic aspects of the artist’s creation and the determined, systematized, mirrored artistic options of the protagonist. Having examined the artist’s works, the author pays increased attention to problems of compositional image, the particularities of plastic representation through shape, line, tone of human characters, psychological states of anthropomorphic and zoomorphic characters. At the same time, the analytical approach is supported by highlighting the role of color in the process of amplifying expressions and messages generated by satirical works created by the graphic artist.

Publishing Activity of Kultur-LigPublishing Activity of Kultur-Lige in Kyiv in 1918-1931: Phases and Genres

The article covers the introduction of Yiddish publishing activities, initiated by the Jewish civic and cultural-educational organization “Kultur-Lige” in the period from 1918 to 1931. The research analyzes the historical context and preconditions of the organization beginning in the 19th century. Among the main preconditions, the author highlights the rapid modernization of Eastern European Jewry, the proclamation of Yiddish as one of the many national languages at the inter-party conference on Yiddish in Chernivtsi in 1908, and the revolutionary events of the first half of the twentieth century. In addition, the article encloses the concept of secular Jewish culture proposed by members of the Kultur-Lige and ways of its implementation through printed Yiddish-language products, the main "marketplaces" of Yiddish textbooks, teaching materials, fiction, periodicals. The article analyzes the printed products of the Kultur-Lige, after preliminary structuring and systematization of publications by category: the sources were divided into a layer of textbooks, teaching and learning materials, children's books, and fiction. The authors of the educational books, textbooks, and books for children were usually young Jewish writers and members of the Literature section of Kultur-Lige. The main consumer of such Yiddish books were the educational institutions established by the Kultur-Lige. Specifically, the Jewish public Yiddish schools, public libraries, and reading rooms, as well as Jewish Public University. Educational institutions organized by Kultur-Lige provided education for all categories of the Jewish community. The article also includes some information about the book design of Kultur-Lige artists. Among the illustrators was Mark Chagall, Sara Shor, Eliezer Lissitzky, Joseph Chaikov, Mark Epstein, etc. This organization provided unique opportunities to implement their artistic idea in the area of book illustrations. Besides that, the article includes information about the print run of some books and the financial sources of the publishing section

Some issues on the development of digital art in the Republic of Moldova

The paper examines the creative segment of digital art, which has been carried out by professional graphic artists in the independent Republic of Moldova, including finished artworks produced in big and small print runs, and also unique graphic works. Sketches and technical drawings of any kind are excluded from the study. Important data is provided about different images (chiesel works, book illustrations, caricatures, postage stamps, ex-librises), which were rendered digitally both in full and in part. Also, concise information is offered on the professionals practicing the respective type of digital art over the years. There is also contoured the process of nationwide spread of the digital images and the specifity of the digital creative tool. The author also examines the professional attitude towards digital art in the Republic of Moldova in terms of the relationship between mass production, traditional handmade art and digital execution technique. The reasons and conditions for the dissemination of digital images in national art are specified. The dynamics of opinions on the role of the computer in the creation and modification of graphic works at different stages of the evolution of digital and traditional technology in the Republic of Moldova is traced.

Phases of the Moon: A Study of 19th Century Scientific Book Illustrations, Providing a Comprehensive Catalogue for the First Three Editions of James Nasmyth & James Carpenter's The Moon: Considered as a Planet, a World, and a Satellite

James Hall Nasmyth (1808–1890) was an accomplished engineer and amateur astronomer. The culmination of Nasmyth's drawings from telescopic observation, the advent of photomechanical print processes, and his interest in the causative features of the lunar surface, led to the 1874 publication of The Moon: Considered as a Planet, a World, and a Satellite. This thesis provides a comprehensive catalogue of the lunar illustrations in the first three editions, revealing the aesthetic variations in the illustrative plates due to reproduction and print processes used. These processes include: engraving, photogravure, heliotype, lithograph, chromolithograph, and four different variations of the Woodburytype. The editions are contextualized using scientific photographs as illustrations, through a discussion of astronomy, book production, and Nasmyth's biography. Through an examination of Nasmyth's use of photography and permanent print processes, this thesis argues that his lunar illustrations remain an important scientific contribution.

Phases of the Moon: A Study of 19th Century Scientific Book Illustrations, Providing a Comprehensive Catalogue for the First Three Editions of James Nasmyth & James Carpenter's The Moon: Considered as a Planet, a World, and a Satellite

James Hall Nasmyth (1808–1890) was an accomplished engineer and amateur astronomer. The culmination of Nasmyth's drawings from telescopic observation, the advent of photomechanical print processes, and his interest in the causative features of the lunar surface, led to the 1874 publication of The Moon: Considered as a Planet, a World, and a Satellite. This thesis provides a comprehensive catalogue of the lunar illustrations in the first three editions, revealing the aesthetic variations in the illustrative plates due to reproduction and print processes used. These processes include: engraving, photogravure, heliotype, lithograph, chromolithograph, and four different variations of the Woodburytype. The editions are contextualized using scientific photographs as illustrations, through a discussion of astronomy, book production, and Nasmyth's biography. Through an examination of Nasmyth's use of photography and permanent print processes, this thesis argues that his lunar illustrations remain an important scientific contribution.

DESIGN TRENDS IN CHILDREN'S BOOK ILLUSTRATION - AN EXAMPLE OF LATGALIAN ABC DESIGN

Children's book illustrations have always been an area that allows artists to make the most of their creative potential. Modern design trends for children's books are changing both in the world and in Latvia. The most relevant of these are minimalism and color purity, simplicity and quality. Research also highlights the choice of illustration and font style in favor of retro style and handwriting. Picture books on the topics of kindness and love are popular in terms of content. Activity books are useful for interactive communication. The aim of the article is to develop the concept of graphic design of the ABC of Latgalian language by studying design trends in children's book illustration and the supply and demand of children's Latgalian literature in Latvia. Research methods: theoretical - research and analysis of literature and Internet resources, empirical - questionnaire, analysis of analogues.

Phases of the moon: a study of 19th century scientific book illustrations providing a comprehensive catalogue for the first three editions of James Nasmyth & James Carpenter's The Moon: considered as a planet, a world, and a satellite

James Hall Nasmyth (1808–1890) was an accomplished engineer and amateur astronomer. The culmination of Nasmyth's drawings from telescopic observation, the advent of photomechanical print processes, and his interest in the causative features of the lunar surface, led to the 1874 publication of The Moon: Considered as a Planet, a World, and a Satellite. This thesis provides a comprehensive catalogue of the lunar illustrations in the first three editions, revealing the aesthetic variations in the illustrative plates due to reproduction and print processes used. These processes include: engraving, photogravure, heliotype, lithograph, chromolithograph, and four different variations of the Woodburytype. The editions are contextualized using scientific photographs as illustrations, through a discussion of astronomy, book production, and Nasmyth's biography. Through an examination of Nasmyth's use of photography and permanent print processes, this thesis argues that his lunar illustrations remain an important scientific contribution.