Mythology in ex libris art

Abstract

Ex libris is an important component of book culture, a sincere confession of a book lover's devoted love for books. The figurative and artistic essence of the Ukrainian bookplate attracts with its multifacetedness. Given that the ex libris is a protective mark of a book, it often serves as the most beloved element of the composition because it best suits the functional purpose of the bookplate. A professionally executed ex libris can tell about both the artist and the book owner, as this art form convincingly reveals the soul of the author. The purpose of an ex libris is not just to be a dry label with the book owner's name, but also to characterize both the owner and the artist.

A book adorned with an ex libris becomes a museum exhibit, an item to be valued and specially preserved. An ordinary book with an ex libris becomes unique to some extent. The bookplate belongs not only to the author and the owner but also to its era. Beginning its history as a heraldic sign on a book indicating its owner, the ex libris, a type of graphic art, has become a true decoration of the book.

Ancient art was closely related to mythology. Later, throughout the European Middle Ages, when the Christian religion played a significant role in societal thought, ancient mythology was supplanted by Christian mythology. A deep interest in antiquity was revived during the Renaissance, with Greco-Roman mythology becoming especially popular. Roman Jupiter began to be represented in the form of Zeus. The supreme deity, father of gods and men, leader of the Olympian family of gods, was a representative of the third generation of gods who overthrew the second generation, the Titans. Zeus visits Danaë in the form of a golden shower, Semele with thunder and lightning, abducts Europa by turning into a bull, appears to Leda as a swan, and to Persephone as a snake. In 16th-18th century painting, scenes related to Zeus's adventures were particularly popular. By the late 20th century, they had also flooded ex libris art. This was facilitated by the use of intaglio printing techniques, which allowed the artist to delve into piquant details and more deeply reveal the plot.

The spread of this graphic technique was promoted by numerous collectors of bookplates and their patrons.