Mark Severin

Mark Fernand Severin (1906 at Ixelles - 1987 at Uccle) was a Belgian-born artist and graphic designer who lived in England for most of his life.

Life

Severin was the son of Fernand Severin (1876–1931), a poet. Described as one of the most outstanding engravers of his generation,^[1] Mark Severin specialised in fine miniature work, including postage stamps and book illustrations. He made close to five hundred bookplates, of which a great number are on erotic subjects.^[1] He also was also active as an advertisement designer in Great Britain, including posters for Imperial Airways and the London Underground.^[2]

In 1935 Severin married Nina Holme, a children's illustrator, the daughter of Charles Geoffrey Holme (the co-founder and editor with his father Charles Holme, of the illustrated fine arts and decorative arts magazine The Studio Magazine). Severin and Nina had two sons: Erik and Geoffrey.

A catalogue raisonné of Severin's works exists.

Published works

• Making a Bookplate (How to do it series) London: The Studio Publications, 1949
• Your Wood Engraving London: Sylvan Press, 1953

Joint authorship

• Mark Severin and Anthony Reid Engraved Bookplates, European Exlibris 1950-70 Pinner: Private Libraries Association, 1972

His work illustrating others' books

• Woman in Detail by Patrick Miller. 5 collotype plates after drawings by Severin. London: The Golden Cockerel Press, 1947
• The Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite A New Translation by F.L. Lucas, Fellow of King's College, Cambridge. Ten Engravings by Mark Severin. London: Golden Cockerel Press, 1948
• Circe and Ulysses Translated by William Browne. Illustrations by Mark Severin. London: Golden Cockerel Press, 1954
• Aollonius of Tyre. Historia Apollonii Regis Tyri Translated by Paul Turner. Six engravings by Mark Severin. London: Golden Cockerel Press London, 1956
• Eve's Moods Unveiled by Jonathan Hanaghan. Copper engravings by Mark Severin. Dublin: Runa Press, 1957
• Five Japanese Love Stories by Ihara Saikaku, illustrated with wood engravings by Mark Severin. London: Folio Society, 1958
• Stories by Karel van de Woestijne, illustrations by Mark Severin. Amsterdam: World Library Association, 1959
• Beowulf the Warrior Ian Serraillier, illustrations by Mark Severin. New York: Henry Z. Walck, Inc., 1961.

Bibliography

• Chambers, David, 1980, Mark Severin's book illustrations
• Lee, B. N., 1983, "Mark Severin" The Bookplate Journal Vol 1, No 1, March 1983.
• Leytens, Fr., Mark F. Severin En Zijn Werk Amsterdam: Wereldbibliotheek 1954
• Rousseau, Antoine and Gastmans, Andre (preface), Marc Severin Graphiste/Grafisch Ontwerper/Graphic Designer Sint-Martens-Latem, uitgeverij De Dijle 1993. The oeuvre catalogue of Severin's work, with texts in three languages (French, Dutch and English). Contains a list of all the ex-libris he designed.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Bookplates
2. ^ http://www.artnet.com/artist/578674/mark-severin.html

External links

• an eg of his work at the bottom of the page
• Mark Severin on Artnet

Persondata
Name	Severin, Mark
Alternative names
Short description	artist, graphic designer
Date of birth	1906
Place of birth	Ixelles, Belgium
Date of death	1987
Place of death	Uccle, Belgium