Artmark’s A10 auction house is taking part in the Bookfest International Book Fair for the first time – a real event for literature lovers and book collectors. New to the 16th edition, which will take place on May 24-28, is a collection of rare books, as well as objects of art and atmosphere, which come from the personal library of the famous literary critic Şerban Çoculescu, reconstructing the space dedicated to Artmark in a vintage setting.

In this year’s issue, Casa Artmark draws the attention of participants to a rare copy of the evangelist Macarius, printed in Tirgovishte, then the capital of Wallachia, in 1512, during the reign of Neagoe Basarab. The Gospel of Macarius (also called the “Bible of Macarius”) is one of the first three printed books published in Romania, as well as one of the oldest and most important books for the entire Eastern and European Orthodoxy. The work was printed in the monastery of Dealu near Tirgovishte, where Hieromonk Macarius was appointed printer by the predecessor of Neagoe Basarab, the ruler of Radu cel Mare. The Gospel contains excerpts from the Gospels, ordered to be read during the liturgy or other divine services during the rite in the church, arranged according to the day and week when they were to be presented to the faithful. In Romania, only one copy of this rare print has been preserved in the collection of the Library of the Romanian Academy.

The second particularly rare and valuable exhibition organized by Artmark is the first book written in Romanian – “Carte romaneasca de oùilătătura” (also called “Cazania lui Varlaam”) from 1643. A collector’s item, known only in a few copies. in museums and public libraries, presented to Bookfest visitors, represent a landmark monument of Romanian civilization and, at the same time, a work of art. The edition of the princeps was edited by Metropolitan Varlaam and printed in the royal printing house of the “Three Hierarchy” monastery during the reign of Vasile Lupu. “Cazania lui Varlaam”, a masterpiece of medieval Romanian culture, reprinted in countless editions since the era, is one of the most read books of our past, and today it is considered a museum piece, a collector’s item.

Known as one of the most influential Romanian literary critics, Şerban Căculescu left behind a rich cultural legacy through his work devoted to the study and popularization of Romanian literature. His personal library was considered a cultural treasure, and now, through Artmark House, part of this valuable collection is presented to the public at Bookfest. The collection of rare works from the heritage of Şerban Çoculescu includes two extremely rare icons: a glazed icon “Adam and Eve”, inspired by an engraving made in Marginim Sibiului, in the workshop of the family of Ioan Kostea Verman, in the mid-19th century. century, as well as the icon “The Crucifixion of the Lord”, made in the first half of the century. XIX by the artist Ioan Pope in Fegarash. In addition, the famous image of Michael the Brave on the engraving of Egidius Sadeler the Younger from Prague, hired by Rudolph II as an artist of the imperial court, appears for the first time at the exhibition. The extremely rare piece, which also comes from the collection of Şerban Çoculescu, was created from nature, the engraver Sadeler ku Tenar met with Mihai Vityazul in Prague.

At the Bookfest, as part of the same exhibition, the last known photo of the national poet Mihai Eminescu, made according to the cliché of Jean Bilig, in Botosani, will be presented. The work was written two years before the poet’s death at the insistence of his sister Aglaia, who came from Chernivtsi to Botosani, where Eminescu was also ill, in the house of another sister, Henrietta, who took care of him. The photograph suited the imagination of the era when Eminescu was considered an exemplary romantic philosopher, lost in madness and suffering, showing himself with a withered, tired, terminally ill figure. On the back of the photograph is a holographic note written in red ink, probably written by the literary critic Şerban Çoculescu, which reconstructs the history of the photograph. This unique copy emphasizes not only the literary value of the play, but also the point of view of an elite critic on this classic of Romanian literature. From the national poet Mihai Eminescu, we have four authentic photographs recognized by experts, taken by photographers Jan Thomas in Prague in 1869, Franz Dušek in Bucharest in 1878, Nestor Heck in Iași in 1884, and Jean Bielig in Botosani in 1887-1888.

Another rare photograph that will appear at the exhibition is a photograph of the poet Vasyl Alexandri, taken by the most important photographer of Yass, Nestor Hek. The specimen was produced around 1880, and the lower part shows a holographic dedication by the poet to a family of French friends. The extraordinary rarity comes from the collection of the literary critic Sherban Choculescu, and the signature and dedication of Vasil Aleksandra give the work a unique character.

Along with rare exhibits from the collection of Sherban Ciculescu and memorial books that represent both intrinsic value due to their rarity and emotional charge due to their history in the literary scholar’s legacy, visitors will have the opportunity to admire and pose with the book sculpture. The installation, symbolically named Bookurescu, is likely to become an important attraction of Bookfest. The impressive art book sculpture, published over time by Artmark, is the result of the talent and imagination of artist Miruna Kojokaru, a complex composition that surprises the viewer with its ability to transform traditional objects such as books into three-dimensional forms, offering a unique visual experience.

The exhibition of collectibles from the legacy of the literary critic Sherban Choculescu can be seen at the Bookfest International Book Fair, XVI Edition, from May 24 to 28, Romexpo, Pavilion B2, Room B06.

Article supported by A10 by Artmark