“Artificem commendat opus – the International Conference on graphic collections in libraries, archives, museums and private collections” is the second of conferences planned as a series of meetings devoted to special collections. This time we invite you for a comprehensive reflection on the matters of the heritage of graphic collections gathered in libraries, archives, museums and private collections as well as those shown in exhibitions and present in antiquarian trade. Due to the multidimensionality of graphics, which is based on their division into art and applied graphics, the heritage can be looked at from different viewpoints, e.g. the creative process, graphic design techniques, mimicry, iconography, typology (i.a. illustration, bookplate, lettering, poster, job printing, leaflets, stamps, postmarks).

The conference shall revolve around the issues which concern creating, gathering, editing, storing, protecting, maintaining and sharing graphic collections (also the digitized ones). It shall also provide an opportunity to discuss the modern status of graphics – both those in which traditional graphic design techniques were used and the digital ones, those printed in small quantities as well as mass-produced graphics. The meeting shall also enable to present the most recent results of an interdisciplinary research – from history, arts, through social communication and media, studies on cultures and religions etc. As for the accompanying events, these shall include the presentation of the graphics included in the Graphic Collections Department of the Scientific Library of the PAAS and the PAS in Cracow.