Fore-edge painting
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A '''fore-edge painting''' is a scene [[Painting|painted]] on the edges of the pages of a [[book]] such that the painting is not visible when the book is closed. In order to view the painting, the [[Bookbinding#Terms and techniques|leaves]] of the book must be fanned, exposing the edges of the pages and thereby the painting. Generally, [[Gilding|gilt]] or [[Paper marbling|marbling]] will be applied by the [[Bookbinding|bookbinder]] after the painting has dried so as to make the painting completely invisible when the book is closed.
A '''double fore-edge painting''' has paintings on both sides of the fore-edges so that one painting is visible when the leaves are fanned one way, and the other is visible when the leaves are fanned the other way. A '''triple fore-edge painting''' has, in addition to paintings on the edges, a third painting applied directly to the edges (in lieu of gilt or marbling). Edge paintings on the top or bottom edges ('''panoramic fore-edge painting''') are also seen occasionally.
The earliest fore-edge paintings date possibly as far back as the [[10th century]]; these earliest paintings were symbolic designs. Early [[England|English]] fore-edge paintings, believed to date to the [[14th century]], presented [[Heraldry|heraldic]] designs in gold and other colors. The first known example of a ''disappearing'' fore-edge painting (where the painting is not visible when the book is closed) dates from [[1649]]. The earliest signed and dated fore-edge painting dates to [[1653]]: a family coat of arms painted on a [[1651]] [[Bible]].
Around [[1750]] the subject matter of fore-edge paintings changed from simply decorative or heraldic designs to [[Landscape art|landscapes]], [[portraits]], pornographic, and religious scenes, first in monochrome and then later in full color. In many cases, the chosen depiction related to the subject of the book, but in other cases it did not. In one instance, the same [[New Brunswick]] landscape was applied to both a Bible and to a collection of poetry and plays.
The majority of extant examples of fore-edge painting date to the late 19th and early 20th century on reproductions of books originally published in the early 19th century.
Artists currently expert in the fore-edge artform include UK-based Martin Frost
==External links==
*[http://www.foredgefrost.co.uk/whatis_foredgeNORM.htm Fore edge video] includes video examples
*[http://www.boingboing.net/2005/03/09/foreedge_paintings_o.html Fore-edge painting] from boingboing.net
*More [http://www.boingboing.net/2006/03/13/elaborate_disappeari.html Fore-edge painting] from boingboing.net
*[http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/don/dt/dt1413.html Fore-edge painting] from Stanford University
*[http://www.ibooknet.co.uk/archive/news_jan05.htm#Feature Fore-edge painting, including pictures] from ibooknet
*[http://www.flickr.com/photos/boston_public_library/sets/72157604427640836/with/2396122579/ Fore-edge paintings] from the Boston Public Library
[[Category:Painting techniques]]
[[Category:Book design]]
[[Category:book arts]]
[[Category:Bookbinding]]
[[Category:Illuminated manuscripts]]