18 January – 31 December 1923
Tate
This exhibition offers an extraordinary glimpse into the artistic movement known as the Book Illustration of the Sixties, spanning roughly from 1855 to 1875. Featuring a rich selection of drawings, burnished proofs, and woodblocks meticulously curated from the comprehensive collection of Mr. Harold Hartley, this showcase reveals the creative synergy between artists and illustrators who revolutionized book art during this pivotal decade.
The movement notably gained momentum with the 1857 publication of Poems by Alfred Tennyson by Moxon, which included striking designs from leading artists such as Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Sir John Everett Millais, Bt, and William Holman Hunt, complemented by works from Mulready, Thomas Creswick, John Callcott Horsley, Stanfield, Daniel Maclise, Willmott, and Ford Madox Brown. Their collaboration marked a golden era where fine art met literary expression, combining poetry with detailed and evocative imagery.
This period witnessed a remarkable confluence: eminent artists providing original drawings, masterful engravers translating these into precise interpretations, and a public increasingly appreciative of the romantic and poetic content delivered through illustrated books. Illustrated serial magazines flourished during the 1860s, offering widespread circulation and payment that attracted top-tier artists, often earning substantial fees for seemingly small sketches, with Rossetti and Millais receiving £30 or more.
However, the advent of photography began to challenge traditional engraving methods, offering economic and rapid replication of artwork with unprecedented fidelity. This technological evolution gradually shifted the landscape of illustrated book production, yet the artistic achievements from this illustrious decade remain a testament to a unique collaborative spirit and craftsmanship.
Immerse yourself in this fascinating chapter of British art history and discover how these watercolours and prints embody the vibrant creativity of the Victorian era’s book illustration movement. For more details and to plan your visit, please visit the official Tate Britain exhibition page.
