Some old books are fragile. Some others are VERY fragile. This Chinese book, named “Shi zhu zhai shu hua pu” (calligraphy and painting manual), is one of those. It is actually so fragile that it was forbidden to open it to take a look.
Luckily, the Cambridge University Library got it digitalized, it is now available for everyone to see. You can now discover the wonderful ancient illustrations divided in eight categories: birds, plums, orchids, bamboos, fruit, stones, ink drawings and miscellany.
The book was printed using polychrome xylography, a technique that requires separated engraved plate for each color. It was printed in 1633.
About the Author
Mirko Humbert
Mirko Humbert is the editor-in-chief and main author of Designer Daily and Typography Daily. He is also a graphic designer and the founder of WP Expert.