Artist's Books

The difference between the livre d'artiste, independent publishing and fine printing was that the livre d'artiste was more a commercial item meant for publication and replication. Independent printing was any form of publication not done by a commercial or organised body. And fine printing.... could mean either high end quality of print or the art of printing.


According to Drucker, the difference between a livre d'artiste and an artist's book was clear... and yet not that clear. The differences she made of the two are as follows:


livre d'artiste: Was initially a publishing enterprise who marketed deluxe editions of upcoming artists. Possible reproductions. Followed the tradition of the illustrated book. It conformed to format. Gave artists the chance to work in mediums they weren't accustomed to or could afford. Finely made works. Surrounded by blank margins.

Artist's Book: Original works that interrogate the conceptual or material form of the book as its intention, thematic interests or production activities. Structure and Meaning play a big role. non conformists of book structure and would bend the rules and conventions on craft decorum. Associated with offset, xerox, letter press, hand binding and relief images (woodcut, linoleum, engraving). Often poor, the artists would use what materials they had, and whilst the quality of material may not be fine... the work was. Was considered a highly malleable and versatile form of expression. No specific criteria for defining what and artist's book is.


Drucker wrote "While many livre d'artiste are interesting on their own terms, they are productions rather then creations, products rather then visions, examples of a form, not interrogations of its conceptual or formal or metaphysical potential."


William Cole considered the main failing of livre d'artiste to be that illustrationists were not considered artists. That by their structured format how could they produce credible art. That being no names of no famed appeal, why would their art be desirable. Cole's issue was the injust attitude toward 'designers' of the time, as they were up against some stiff competition - that of the snobby Art industry... and all that entails.



Artist and writers were contracted independently mostly, or at times collaborated but always directed by the editor... as they would orchestrate the entire project. The editor much like an editor by todays standards woudl oversea the work into project completion.