Books are more than just words on a page. From cover to cover, the contents of a book are enhanced by a whole team of designers. Even something as simple as font choices can radically change the mood of a book.

Interest in turning books into art began in Denmark at the end of the 1800s, under the influence of English designers like William Morris. Associations for bookbinding, printing, font design, and illustration rapidly developed, creating a vibrant world of small publishers. From the 1920s onward, these publishers experimented with form and function to develop a Danish Modern style.

This exhibit celebrates the Danish book-art industry. From a 1633 edition of the Bible to a copy of The Lord of the Rings illustrated by Queen Margrethe II, the exhibit highlights the people involved in creating a good book, the technologies that define modern printing, and the ways in which design – cover art, text layout, and illustrations – help make books memorable.

The Art of the Danish Book is sponsored by John Rasmussen.