Bindekunst

Bindekunst, or bookbinding, is the craft of assembling and finishing books. It encompasses attaching the gathered sheets to form a codex, attaching and shaping the covers, and adding finishing details such as endpapers, headbands, and spine linings. Bindings range from utilitarian library bindings to decorative works intended as art objects, and they can influence the durability, handling, and aesthetic value of a book.

Historically, bookbinding developed from early parchment covers and scribed manuscripts to medieval and early modern workshops organized in guilds or monastic settings. With the advent of printing, bindings increasingly reflected stylistic trends and regional techniques. The rise of industrial production in the 19th century led to machine binding, while the late 20th century saw renewed interest in hand binding, conservation, and artist bindings.

Techniques include sewing the quires (groups of pages) to cords or tapes, attaching boards, and covering the book with leather, vellum, cloth, or decorative papers. Endpapers, leather tooling, blind or gold tooling, and inlays or marbled papers are common decorative elements. Book conservators prioritize reversible repairs, deacidification of paper, and stabilization of bindings without altering historical integrity.

Styles vary by region and era. Medieval bindings often featured metal clasps and elaborate gilt or blind decoration; Renaissance and Baroque bindings displayed intricate tooling and inlays; in English, French, and Dutch traditions, calfskin bindings with raised bands and decorative labels are common. Contemporary binding includes limited-edition artist bindings and conservation bindings produced to exacting standards.

Today Bindekunst encompasses both craft and scholarship. Practitioners include hand binders, restoration specialists, and artists who produce one-off bindings or small editions. Formal training is offered by book arts programs, conservator education, and professional studios, while museums and libraries preserve historic bindings as cultural artifacts.