English Illustration 'The Sixties': 1855-70: With Numerous Illustrations by Ford Madox Brown: A. Boyd Houghton: Arthur Hughes: Charles Keene: M. J. Lawless: Lord Leighton, P.R.A.: Sir J. E. Millais, P.R.A.: G. Du Maurier: J. W. North, R.A.: G. J. Pinwell: Dante Gabriel Rossetti: W. Small: Frederick Sandys: J. Mcneill Whistler: Frederick Walker, A.R.A.: and Others
Dante Alighieri · en
PAUL GRAY (1848-1868).--A most promising young illustrator, whose
early death was most keenly regretted by those who knew him best, Paul
Gray was born in Dublin, May 17, 1848. He died November 14, 1868. In
the progress of this work mention has been made of all illustrations
which it has been possible to identify; many of the cartoons for _Fun_,
being unsigned, could not be attributed to him with certainty. _The
Savage Club Papers_, First Series (Tinsley, 1863), contain his last
drawing, _Sweethearting_. In the preface we read: 'When this work
was undertaken, that clever young artist [Paul Gray] was foremost in
offering his co-operation; for he whom we mourned, and whose legacy
of sorrow one had accepted, was his dear friend. The shock which his
system, already weakened by the saddest of all maladies, received by
the sudden death of that friend was more than his gentle spirit could
sustain. He lived just long enough to finish his drawing, and then he
left us to join his friend.' In the record of the periodicals of the
sixties will be found many references to his work, which is, perhaps,
most familiar in connection with Charles Kingsley's _Hereward the Wake_.
* * * * *
DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI (_b._ 1828, _d._ 1882). The comparatively
few illustrations by Rossetti have been described and reproduced so
often, that it would seem superfluous to add a word more here. Yet,
recognising their influence to-day, we must also remember that many
people who are attracted by this side of Rossetti's art may not be
familiar with the oft-told story of his career. He, more than any
modern painter, would seem to be responsible for the present decorative
school of illustrators, whose work has attracted unusual interest
from many continental critics of late, and is recognised by them as
peculiarly 'English.' While the man in the street would no doubt choose
'Phiz,' Cruikshank, Leech, Tenniel, Gilbert, Fred Walker, or Pinwell as
typically 'English,' the foreigner prefers to regard the illustrations
by Rossetti, his immediate followers, and his later disciples as
representing that English movement, which the native is apt to look
upon as something exotic and bizarre.
Yet it is not necessary to discuss Rossetti's position as founder of
the pre-Raphaelite school, nor to weigh his claims to the leadership
against those of Ford Madox Brown and Holman Hunt. But, without
ignoring the black-and-white work of the two last named, there can
be no doubt that it is Rossetti who has most influenced subsequent
draughtsmen.