"Pierre-Joseph Redouté's LES LILIACÉES", Sotherby's Auction Catalogue - 20th November 1985 (publisher: Sotherby's, New York 1985) - Part 3

 I fell in love with these pictures as soon as I picked up this book some sixteen years ago! I had never really paid much attention to flower paintings before as I thought the subject too ordinary and mundane but this work is so extraordinary! The beautifully drawn shapes and natural colouring really make you appreciate the harmony and balance of each depicted plant. What makes them so powerful is not only their amazing realism but the sensuality achieved from the richness and depth of the colours, together with monumental and sculptural arrangement of leaves and flowers. Pierre-Joseph Redouté is rightly considered as one of the best and most famous flower painters of all time - this site provides quite a lengthy biography of the artist: http://www.pierre-joseph-redoute.com/

"Pierre-Joseph Redouté's LES LILIACÉES", Sotherby's Auction Catalogue - 20th November 1985 (publisher: Sotherby's, New York 1985) - Part 2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre-Joseph_Redout%C3%A9

"Pierre-Joseph Redouté's LES LILIACÉES", Sotherby's Auction Catalogue - 20th November 1985 (publisher: Sotherby's, New York 1985)

 Pierre Joseph Redouté (1759-1840) http://digitalcollections.nypl.org/search/index?filters%5BnamePart_mtxt_s%5D%5B%5D=Redout%C3%A9%2C%20Pierre%20Joseph%2C%201759-1840&keywords=&layout=false#

"R. Caldecott's Collection Of Pictures & Songs" Illustrated By Randolph Caldercott, Engraved and Printed By E. Evans (published by Frederick Warne And Co., London and New York, date unknown) Part 3

 

 

Some more of Randolph Caldercott's exquisite  drawings. The whole book is in pieces now but the colours and the quality of the paper are intact. According to Wikipedia "R.S.'s Collection Of Pictures & Songs" came out in 1887. So, for only seven pounds I got myself dozens of these antique illustrations! I love the movement in the characters, the birds and animals portrayed so effortlessly with his flawy lines as well as the emotions and humour displayed in their faces and postures.

 

 

 

 

"R. Caldecott's Collection Of Pictures & Songs" Illustrated By Randolph Caldercott, Engraved and Printed By E. Evans (published by Frederick Warne And Co., London and New York, date unknown) Part 2

 

This story is called "The Babes In The Wood" and it really is quite scary! The babes do actually die from starvation so no happy end in this one. The drawing skills of the artist and the colouring are so impressive though. His lines are drawn with such sensitivity and confidence that you think the people are about to move. Even the birds and animals are so expressive, adding to the mood of the story. Even though the book is almost falling apart (making it really difficult to scan) the pages and illustrations are in a very good condition and as vibrant as they would have been when new.

"R. Caldecott's Collection Of Pictures & Songs" Illustrated By Randolph Caldercott, Engraved and Printed By E. Evans (published by Frederick Warne And Co., London and New York, date unknown) Part 1

 

This book is a collection of several songs and stories illustrated by Randolph Caldecott (1846-1886). He would have been quite famous at the time of publication of this volume as his name is part of the title! He was a prolific illustrator working in Manchester from a very young age and eventually moving to London. He was a contemporary of Kate Greenaway (1846-1901) and Walter Crane (1845-1915), two very important artists/writers of children's books. Despite dying young, at the age of forty, he left a huge legacy in the field of illustration. His work was greatly admired by Paul Gauguin and Vincent Van Gogh among others while he went on to influence 20th century children's illustrators like Maurice Sendak! These three pictures are from a verse called: "The Queen Of Hearts"  Here's the Wikipedia link for Randolph Caldecott's biography: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randolph_Caldecott