September 11, 2013

30 Secret Works of Art Found on the Edges of Books

A technique of painting on the edges of a book’s pages is known as fore-edge paintings. It is a type of secret or hidden artwork used for beautification and you can only see this amazing work of art when the pages are fanned out. University of Iowa recently shared a gif showing an amazing work of art called fore-edge painting hidden on the side of a book from 1837 by Robert Mudie.

Today we have put together a selection of books featuring fore-edge paintings which can only be seen by fanning the pages in the opposite direction. We hope you will enjoy this collection.

Autumn by Robert Mudie 

Autumn by Robert Mudie

Autumn by Robert Mudie

Speeches of Henry Lord Brougham, 
A view of Philadelphia showing the Delaware

A view of Philadelphia showing the Delaware

Analysis of the Game of Chess, 1790

Analysis of the Game of Chess, 1790

Spring by Robert Mudie

Spring by Robert Mudie