Arthur Rackham 1867-1939
After years of hard work illustrating both books and magazines, Arthur Rackham
was beginning to make a name for himself around the turn of the century. Publishers
were noticing that customers were starting to purchase books because
they were illustrated by Rackham.
He found his first real commercial success, howver, in his publication of
an edition of Grimm's Fairy Tales in 1900. Like the Grimms, who would
issue seven editions over their lifetimes, Rackham revised his work on the
tales several times. His Little Brother
and Little Sister, published in 1917, reflects his response to the
horrors of World War I
The tales were a favorite subject for the artist. "In many ways, he said,
"I have more affection for the Grimm drawings than for other sets. I
think it is partly one's childhood affection for the stories."
Rackham knew that the public would accept his "blood and thunder"and
romantic illustrations as well as his realistic treatments of more serious
subjects, but he was somewhat nervous about how serious watercolor artists
would respond to his fantasy paintings. However, upon the urging of his wife,
Edyth, he exhibited paintings done as illustrations for Morte de Arthur
and Grimm's Fairy Tales to positive critical reaction. His path was
set. With the publication of Rip Van Winkle in 1905, it became clear
that Rackham was England's foremost illustrator of books.