The Victorian Era
In the middle of the 19th century the collaboration between publishers, writers and artists reached a new height. Artists’ names were listed with increasing prominence on title-pages and in advertisements. The marketability of author and illustrator became increasingly inter-dependent. Just as artists sought to work for well-regarded authors and ‘quality’ publishers, so the latter sought artists of ability and reputation to visualize their literary inventions. This can be seen for example in the connection between Charles Dickens and Daniel Maclise.
The edition of Alfred Tennyson’s Poems published in 1857 is a quintessential embodiment of the
careful alliance of text and image and remains a famous specimen of literary illustration. Its designs were provided by a team of artists including Dante Gabriel Rossetti and John Everett Millais, representatives of the
Pre-Raphaelite style of illustration, alongside long-established illustrators such as Daniel Maclise and
William Mulready.
Oliver Goldsmith The vicar of Wakefield
Illustrated by William Mulready
London, Edinburgh & New York, 1888
OLS B-11-841
Originally published in 1766, The vicar of Wakefield became one of the most popular novels of the Victorian era. A moral tale, believed to be based on Goldsmith personal experiences, the text was celebrated for its vivid characterisations and unambiguous ethical tone, which Mulready succeeded in capturing in his illustrations.
Charles Dickens The chimes: a goblin story, of some bells that rang an old year out and a new year in
Illustrated by Daniel Maclise and others
London, 1845
OLS B-10-633
The second of Charles Dickens’ Christmas books, The chimes, like its predecessor, A Christmas Carol, is set in 1840s London. The main protagonist is Trotty Veck, an impoverished widower and father to one daughter. Similar to all of Dickens’ novels it has a strong moral and political message as it deals with themes of social and economic injustice. Maclise’s illustrations for this edition focus on the fantastical elements of the narrative rather than stark realities.
Alfred Tennyson Poems
Illustrated by Daniel Maclise and others
London, 1857
RR.f.65
The edition of Tennyson’s Poems published by Edward Moxon in 1857 is a fine demonstration of the sympathetic alliance of text and image and it remains a highly regarded specimen of literary illustration. Its designs were provided by a team including Dante Gabriel Rossetti and John Everett Millais, representatives of the recently-emerged Pre-Raphaelite style, together with longer-established artists such as Daniel Maclise and William Mulready.
Walter ThornburyHistorical & legendary ballads & songs
Illustrated by Matthew J. Lawless and others
London, 1876
Gall.RR.31.9
Matthew Lawless’ interests as an artist lay in historical and literary subject matter and his work as an illustrator in black and white was highly regarded. Through Lawless’ association with the Langham Art Club in London he met Charles Keene and Frederick Walker, the first of whom was especially influential on Lawless’ crisp and sharply detailed illustrative style. This quality also reveals his knowledge of German illustration of the period. Lawless produced illustrations for books but is best known for his wood-engraved designs for popular periodicals such as Once a Week (1859–64), Churchman's Family Magazine (1863), and London Society (1862–70).