Konstantin Kalynovich

Kalinovych is a Ukrainian printmaker best known for his ‘ex libris’, or bookplate, prints.  His work is collected world-wide, both by those who commission the prints, and by others who just appreciate the incredible skill and imagination he brings to this small format.

Kalinovych has created more than 300 prints, and taken part in numerous art-exhibitions in Ukraine and abroad; he has won numerous awards in international contests, including: Saint Niklaas (Belgium) prize for the best ex-libris – 1997. Grand Prix of the International Contest in ex-libris art, Gliwice, Poland – 1997. First prize and Bienale XX Medal of mordern ex-libris art, Malbork, Poland – 2005. Resides and works in Lugansk, Ukraine

——————————————————————————-
ex librīs [Latin, "from books"], is most simply a printed piece of paper pasted inside the front cover of a book, showing ownership.  Most people are familiar with commercially printed bookplates with a picture or design, followed by the name of the owner:  "from the library of . . . ".

Underneath this purely practical use lies the long history of a specialized art form dating back as far as the 13th century.  Some of the most famous artists in the past five centuries have let their imaginations have free reign designing these miniature prints.  Besides images relating to the life and pastimes of the book-collectors who commission them, ex libris prints often explore themes of eroticism, surrealism, religion and mythology.

The history of the bookplate begins in Germany, not only because the earliest known examples are German, but also because they are found there in great numbers long before the custom spread to other countries. Albrecht Dürer is known to have engraved at least six plates. More recently artists such as Audrey Beardsley and Rockwell Kent have contributed their own examples.Many of the currently active ex libris artists are in Eastern Europe, where the form originally flourished.