Arthur RackhamBritish, 1867–1939A Midsummer Night's Dream
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Victoria and Albert Museum
London, United Kingdom
It belongs to the collection, but is not on display at present.
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- In this state since
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- The museum
About the work
Arthur Rackham (1867-1939) trained at the Lambeth School of Art. He gained experience from a young age as an illustrator by working for the Westminster Budget and other magazines. He worked mainly as an illustrator to Children's books. From the early twentieth century Rackham developed a talent for portraying witches and fairies by employing vivid characterization, which often has an underlying sense of horror. These illustration effectively incorporate fine outlines with a pale palette to create the feeling of another world.
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This watercolour illustrateswas reproduced in W.Heinemann's publication of A Midsummer Night's Dream in 1908. Shakespeare's play has been a continual source of inspiration to artists. This illustration shows an elf attendant that is summoned to serve Bottom. This tiny elf is on of Tatania's attendants summoned to serve the bewitched mortal, Bottom. His Srpightly movement reflects the mischief perpetrated by the fairies in the play.
Victoria and Albert Museum
Particulars
- Accession number
- E.2989-1910
In the catalog
Sources
- Victoria and Albert Museum
- Image: Victoria and Albert Museum — © Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Meanwhile, in the life of Arthur Rackham
The whole life1906
Gold medal at the Milan International Exhibition
He wins a gold medal at the Milan International Exhibition; he will win another at the Barcelona International Exposition in 1912.
1906
Moves to Chalcot Gardens
From 1906 the family lives at Chalcot Gardens, near Haverstock Hill, until leaving London in 1920.
1908
Birth of his daughter Barbara
Four years after the miscarriage, Barbara is born to Rackham and Edyth, the couple's only daughter.
