Ex libris van Alfred E. Cohn

About this artwork

plaatrand: hoogte 158 mm x breedte 106 mm

Art Historical Context

Created in 1909 by Dutch artist Johannes Arnoldus Boland, this delicate etching served as a personalized bookplate, or *ex libris*, for collector Alfred E. Cohn. Measuring just 158 by millimeters, the work exemplifies the intimate scale typical of early twentieth-century bookplates, which were designed to mark ownership within private libraries while also reflecting the owner’s taste and intellectual identity. Etching was a favored medium for such pieces because its fine lines and subtle tonal effects allowed artists to create intricate, miniature compositions that reproduced beautifully in multiple impressions. Boland’s precise technique captures the refined aesthetic of the period, when bookplates transitioned from simple labels into small works of art prized by bibliophiles across Europe. Today, this print offers a charming glimpse into the cultural rituals of reading and collecting at the turn of the century, preserving both the personal history of its original owner and the enduring artistry of the bookplate tradition.

About the Artist

Johannes Arnoldus Boland · 1838–1922

Johannes Arnoldus Boland (1838–1922) was a Dutch etcher and engraver who played a significant role in the 19th-century etching revival in the Netherlands while serving as a restorer at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam for over three decades. Born on December 19, 1838, in Geesteren, a small town in the eastern Netherlands, Boland dedicated his career to both preserving and creating art, embodying the d...