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| Arthur Rackham self-portrait |
Arthur Rackham (1867 – 1939) is widely regarded as one of the leading illustrators from the 'Golden Age' of British book illustration which encompassed the years from 1900 until the start of the First World War.
Arthur Rackham's works have become very popular since his death, both in North America and Britain. His images have been widely used by the greeting card industry and many of his books are still in print or have been recently available in both paperback and hardback editions. His original drawings and paintings are keenly sought at the major international art auction houses.
This is part 6 of an 8-part post on the works of Arthur Rackham. For full biographical notes see part 1.
The Romance of King Arthur is Alfred W. Pollard's version of Malory's Morte d'Arthur and includes tales of King Arthur, Sir Launcelot, Sir Gareth, Sir Tristram, Sir Launcelot and Dame Elaine, Sir Galahad and the Quest of the Holy Grail, and Launcelot, Guenever, and King Arthur.
Malory's own Morte d'Arthur
was compiled from folk tales, with the addition of some original material
related to Sir Gareth. The original version of the tales was first published by
William Caxton in 1485 and the Malory's compilation is regarded as the
best-known work of English-language Arthurian literature.
In preparing for the commission, Rackham turned to his own copy of
Beardsley's "Morte D'Arthur" and, following the pattern of the
Beardsley version, drew square and rectangular chapter headings to be set at
irregular intervals up and down the page. As in Beardsley, these have a stark
black and white appearance, though Rackham cannot resist the occasional wryly
humorous touch such as a barking dog or a jester's head.
The
closest Rackham comes to Beardsley, however, is in his illustration of
'Sangreal', a flaming lidded chalice carried by an attenuated golden-haired
white-robed maiden. This homage to Aubrey is based closely on Beardsley's own
angel in 'The Achieving of the Sangreal', the frontispiece to Volume Two of
"Morte D'Arthur".
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| "Sangreal" by Arthur Rackham |
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| Aubrey Beardsley "The Achieving of the Sangreal" 1893-94 |
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| 1917 Cover of The Romance of King Arthur |
