Arthur Rackham

See also: Rackham

Arthur Rackham (September 19th 1867 - September 6th 1939), is a British artist, illustrator of many books.

Life & Work

Rackham was born with London in a family which counts twelve children. At 18 years, he works like employee in “Westminster Fire Office” and starts to study at the School of Art of Lambeth. As of 1888 it exposes to the Royal Academy like Aquarelliste.

In 1892 it leaves its station of employee and begins a work from journalist and illustrator for the weekly magazine Westminster Budget . However, its first works do not have yet dimension Fantastique or marvellous that they will have thereafter: Rackham did not find its style yet, and does not have the success which will enable him thereafter to choose literary works that he wants to put in images. Its first collection of illustrations is published in 1893. Consequently and until its death in 1939, it will illustrate many works. The first demonstration of its taste for some Préciosité will find its expression in the illustrated edition of The Dolly Dialogs , of Anthony Hope, in 1894.

In 1903, it marries Edyth Starkie of which it will have a girl, Barbara, in 1908.

Rackham gains the gold medal with the International exhibition of Milan in 1906 and another to the International exhibition of Barcelona in 1911. Its works are the subject of many exposures, in particular with the Louvre (Paris) in 1914. Member of the “royal Company of the Painters in watercolours”, it will be named “master off Art Worker' S Guild” in 1919.

Arthur Rackham dies in 1939 of a cancer in its property of Limpsfield in the Surrey.

The work of Rackham is much richer than it is generally thought; admittedly, the major part of its work relates to the books for children: The Tales of the brothers Grimm (1900); RIP van Winkle (1905); Peter Pan (1906), like Alice with the country of the wonders (1907), in particular. However, he also worked on many works for adults: the one night Dream of summer (1908), Ondine (1909), The Rhinegold and the Valkyrie (1911), etc

External bonds

• The Arthur Rackham Society
• Arthur Rackham and his art
• The It Project: Arthur Rackham
• Alice' S Adventures in Wonderland, it by Arthur Rackham
• Arthur Rackham art images (free online gallery): a splendid site with very many illustrations d'Alice in Wonderland, Gulliver' S Travels… together with extracts of works (in English).
• SurLaLune Fairy Bruises Pages: Fairy Bruises off Illustrations Arthur Rackham