Even though Gerard Verdijk (1934 - 2005) passed away at the beginning of this century, many still remember him as a striking and versatile artist. From midway the 20th century until the beginning of the 21st century he was active within a wide area of the visual arts. He was a poetic and philosophical man that manifested his creativity through a wide range of materials and techniques. He was a curious man, eager to learn, who travelled through Europe, Turkey, The Middle-East, North-America, A...

In the seventeenth century, Balthasar Moretus I was master of the Plantin Press. The Baroque era was in full sway and proved highly influential on developments in the world of books. Balthasar succeeded in getting leading artists to work on his book designs. This included collaborating with Peter Paul Rubens on more than twenty projects.

Even today, publishers still play the role of director in terms of book innovation, and the relationship between publisher and artist remains as important no...