Sunday 14 February 2010

"Prelude - The early life of Eileen Joyce" C.H. Abrahall, illustrated by Anna Zinkeisen. Published by Oxford University Press 1950


Anna Zinkeisen(1901-1976) is a little known British painter but very accomplished and successful in her lifetime. You can read a more extensive biography on her at this excellent blog http://artinconnu.blogspot.com/2008/09/doris-and-anna-zinkeisen.html
There is something magic and surreal about these drawings that attracted me as soon as I saw them. The rhythm and the flow of the lines make them so atmospheric and special.













4 comments:

  1. Oh, what memories! I read "Prelude", the biography of the pianist Eileen Joyce, as a child - about 45 years ago, and I remember these illustrations as if it was yesterday. I am a pianist myself (nowhere as good as Eileen of course!) and oh, how I remember identifying with the drawings of this charming little girl! Thank you so much for sharing this.

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  2. I agree with the previous post! What memories! I read this book many times in 1965. My mother bought it for me and I loved it! Wish I could find a copy for my collection.
    I remember those drawings so much. Thank you for posting this, a wonderful trip down memory lane!

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  3. I still have this book and loved it as a child. I am now looking forward to reading it to my grandchildren.

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  4. I just discovered this page. I loved this book and had totally forgotten about it. My mother got it for me in the mid 1960’s. I have since misplaced it but would love to get a copy. Like a previous comment, I remember the illustrations so well. What a great trip down memory lane indeed.

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