"But Soft: We Are Observed" By Hilaire Belloc, Drawings By G. K. Chesterton (published by Penguin Books Limited, 1939 - originally published in 1928) - Part 2

When I picked up this book about two months ago I was intrigued by these unusual drawings - quite minimalist, bold but delicate and funny at the same time. And then I saw the name of the artist, G. K. Chesterton, and thought it can't be him because he is a writer! Well, it turns out that G. K. Chesterton (born in London 1874-1936) wasn't only the famous writer but also a poet, philosopher, journalist, art and literary critic and many other things beside! I knew him from what is probably him best known work, the novel "The Man Who Was Thursday"(published in 1908). His pictures for this book were not a coincidence and he was a very close friend with Hilaire Belloc (1870-1953). A very good introduction to the man and his work here: http://www.chesterton.org/who-is-this-guy/

"But Soft: We Are Observed" By Hilaire Belloc, Drawings By G. K. Chesterton (published by Penguin Books Limited, 1939 - originally published in 1928)

"The City" By FRANS MASEREEL (Published in the UK by Redstone Press, London 1988 - originally published by Kurt Wolff Verlag, Munich 1925 as "DIE STADT") Part 2

 

 

 

"The City" By FRANS MASEREEL (Published in the UK by Redstone Press, London 1988 - originally published by Kurt Wolff Verlag, Munich 1925 as "DIE STADT") Part 1

 

 

"For Whom The Cloche Tolls" - A Scrap-Book Of The Twenties by Angus Wilson and Philippe Jullian (published by Methuen, London 1953) - Part 3

 

I tried to scan some details from the drawings in this book to show the weird expressions on their faces! These characters live in a strange party world of their own, where anything goes... The picture in colour is from the back cover.

                                

 

"For Whom The Cloche Tolls" - A Scrap-Book Of The Twenties by Angus Wilson and Philippe Jullian (published by Methuen, London 1953) - Part 2

 

Another brilliant example of French illustration from the 1950's, by Philippe Jullian (1921-1977). There are illustrations in every page of this book enveloping the text, enhancing its witty and bizarre stories. The artist's line work is playful and at times fragile but when you look closely it depicts the costumes, hairstyles and faces in some detail. Going through each page you end up spending more time admiring each character than reading the text - and there are hundreds of them! I came across this extensive article on Philippe Jullian (on John Coulthart's amazing blog) which gives a good insight on his character and work: http://www.johncoulthart.com/feuilleton/2010/12/13/philippe-jullian-connoisseur-of-the-exotic/

 

 

 

"For Whom The Cloche Tolls" - A Scrap-Book Of The Twenties by Angus Wilson and Philippe Jullian (published by Methuen, London 1953)