Bodoni: Quand La Simplicité Devient Art

Bruxelles: Bibliotheca Wittockiana, 2000 4to (32.5 cm), 160 pp, 8 ff of plates in color. Laminated wrappers. Illustrated catalogue of an exhibition at the Bibliotheca Wittockiana 14 June - 30 September, 2000. The exhibition was a tribute to the prince of typographers, Giambatista Bodoni (1740-1813) whose genius is not only reflected in the creating and drawing of typographical characters, but also in their engraving and founding. The authors indicate also less known aspects of his activities: his first experiences as a printer in Rome, the editorial adventure of the Cours d'Etude de Condillac, his passion for exotic types through countless manuals, the Greek, Latin and Italian classics, the English editions, illustrated works, scientific books, the imitators. Some of the prestigious provenances of these rare editions are reflected in the bindings.