Federico Blu di Prussia’s Ex Libris collection is an ongoing series of custom rubber stamps created for various visual identities. Over the years, private clients, independent bookstores, and small sustainable companies have asked the printmaker to create rubber and linoleum blocks with monograms and images of some of the most iconic models, medieval symbols, and stories. Always keen to work on new projects in the series, Federico continues to keep commissions open and create unique imagery through the means of small-scale stamps. From a personalised bookplate dedicated to a special person as a gift and homage, to reimaginings of famous figures and stories, he remains curious and grateful to make rich compositions that reflect personality, passions, and personal inclinations.
The study of the subjects within each Ex Libris, from the choice of font and size to the graphic component, reveals a lot about the choices behind the construction of a unique and distinctive brand. He tells us; “I always feel it is a great privilege to realise in a few centimetres of carved rubber the visual synthesis of a person who creates a unitary impression of his own character on paper, as a summary of the vision that others have of him, and which will constitute a call from one of the most unique and intimate elements that everyone treasures: their own readings.”
One example of Federico’s Ex Libris is a personalised stamp he created for Margherita Paggi in which he used visual and textual references from Art Nouveau prints and calligraphies from Ver Sacrum. From these collated notes, he produced a personalised stamp that contained a spider and octopus chimera, with elongated tentacles and shaggy legs. Within these few centimetres, Federico has remained sensitive and respectful to his client and his inspirations, making a perfect gift that was loved by both the recipient and giver.
Federico’s ability to combine iconic stories with those of modern times is also demonstrated in another ex libris which brings together past and present through the theme of music. Commissioned for a special gift, the piece encloses lyrics which Federico has expertly carved into a few centimetres of rubber. A zither acts as a nod to times of the past, and as the central motif it perfectly links events of today with those of the past.
In his print dedicated to the seven hundredth anniversary of the death of Dante Alighieri, Federico used a light and atmospheric colour to suggest the progression of the groups and to add depth to his piece. The various elements of the poet’s life are condensed into a visual synthesis that combines the man, political activity, and historical legacy, and investigates the nuances of an iconic and mythical figure. The 11th Concorso Internazionale Ex Libris Biblioteca di Bodio Lomnago provided Federico with the opportunity to delve into the literary study and graphic reflection of a complex and always current work filtered through the biographical events of a man of his time and a poet par excellence.
Head to his page to check out more of his Ex Libris work, and get in touch about your own storytelling stamp commission.
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