1. AN
‘EX
LIBRIS’
Visual Arts I
Teacher: Sara del Río

2. Definition ‘EX LIBRIS’= libro de
An Ex Libris is a small stamp designed
as a signature of the owner of a book. It
is frecuently placed at the back of a
book’s cover.
It has two parts: text and icon.
TEXT: ‘Ex Libris’ + name of the book´s
owner
ICON: a symbolic image about the
owner.

3. E X LIBRIS’
‘ TEXT
PARTS
S TRUCTURE
ICON
PART

4. A Fast Review of ‘Ex Libris’ History…
S. XV b.C.
The predecessors of an ‘Ex Libris’ are small clay plates
filled with hieroglyphics placed in the storage boxes
for papyrus rolls to indicate their were property of
the Pharaohs.

5. A Fast Review of ‘Ex Libris’ History…
S. XII-XIV a.C
During Middle Age, ‘Ex libris’ were inscriptions
handmade by monks on religious books.
An example of this
Monks´inscriptions:
‘This book is property of
St Jacob Monks’
Monastery in Florence.
Whoever borrows it,
please, return it without
delay and well-
preserved. This is my
book.’

6. A Fast Review of ‘Ex Libris’ History…
S. XV a.C.
The first ‘Ex libris’ as currently known appeared with the
Printing Press invention. As the number of printed books
increased the necessity of owner identification become
crucial.

7. At the beginning the ‘Ex Libris’ were associated with
an heraldic meaning, with the Family´s Coat of Arms:

8. Later on, ‘Ex Libris’ developed a more allegorical
meaning, trying to express through its icon part of
their owners personalities:

9. - Heraldic style -

10. - Allegorical style -

13. - Humoristic style -

14. - Silhouette style -