COVER DESIGN BY F. KYSELA, FOR NOVA EDICE, PRAGUE as an illustrator of refined humour; Ferdinand Staeger is one of the best-known illustrators of the “Münchner Jugend,” and a draughtsman of great variety and vitality; Wenzel Oswald and Gustav Kalhammer are past students of the Imperial “Kunstgewerbeschule” in Vienna and are essentially decorative in their art; while Dagobert Peche hails from the Imperial Academy and his work is of a highly decorative character. Alfred Keller is an architect by profession, as is Dagobert Peche, but he is also an illustrator of books, his chief forte lying in line drawing.
Some of the Austrian artists excel in the designing of book-bindings, and it is safe to say their work will achieve lasting fame. The mention of names such as Professors Josef Hoffmann, Koloman Moser and Czeschka, are sufficient to vouch for this assertion; Anton Hofer and Rudolf Geyer, both past students of the Imperial Arts and Crafts School, have also done some very beautiful work which will live. All these artists have produced bindings which in quality of design, material, and workmanship are all that could be desired.
TAILPIECE DESIGNED BY HEDWIG SCHMIEDL, FOR THE IMPERIAL GRAPHISCHE LEHR-UND VERSUCHSANSTALT, VIENNA In the designing of new types excellent results have been achieved. “Czeschka's Antiqua,” the invention of Professor Czeschka, is extremely beautiful in its simplicity. I has been acquired by Messrs. Genzsch and Heyse, of Hamburg, and is illustrated on page 211.
Dr. Rudolf Junk's new type is characterized by the same high qualities though it differs widely in form from that of Professor Czeschka; Herr Mader's type is less clear, though it is interesting. For this Professor Hoffmann has made the borders and ornament. Fräulein Schmidt may also be counted amongst those who have created new and interesting types. These have all been published by the “Hof-und Staatsdruckerei.”
In the provinces Bohemia holds the first place in the Art of the Book, which is but natural considering how high a prestige Prague, Pilsen, Kuttenberg, and other of her towns enjoyed in bygone ages. In modern graphic art and book-decoration many Czech artists have distinguished themselves. The various reproductions here show that their inspirations are those of the true artist. To these must be added Zdenka Braunerová, Adolf Kašpar, and Vojtěch Preissig. That the publishers are collaborating with the artists is a good sign, and the next few years will no doubt see further developments. The fact that the modern movement in Bohemia in the Art of the Book is still in its infancy, and that, in spite of this, so much that is good has already been done, speaks well for the future.
ORNAMENT BY WENZEL OSWALD