After the First World War, the path of expression in ex-libris followed the pattern of development of fine arts in general, in the sense that a multiplicity of trends developed. In some cases, particularly in Germany, groups of artists were interested in ex-libris and vied to make most admirable plates for the collectors who commissioned them. In other instances, individuals – one might term them ‘ex-libris artists’ – became so involved in bookplates that it was their major occupation. Also, as has always been the case, some artists not particularly interested in bookplates occasionally made an ex-libris for a friend or patron. Thus the mani-fold images to be found during this century reflect the plurality of modern art.