Arthur Rackham

English book illustrator Arthur Rackham’s elaborate pen and ink drawings brought to life the fairy and fantasy literature that he illustrated with images both comforting and scary at the same time.  One of the leading artists during the “Golden Age of Book Illustration” (1890-1920), Rackham began his lifelong career after studying art part-time from the age of 18 and receiving his first professional commission in 1894. His works, a swirling mix of his black and white drawings with subtle additions of watercolors, helped rejuvenate the world of book illustration as developments in printing allowed for faithful reproductions of his beautiful images. Some of his best known illustrations include Rip Van Winkle, Grimm’s and Aesop’s Fairy Tales, and Gulliver’s Travels.