Step into the magical world of Edmund Dulac, where dreams dance on the paper and imagination knows no bounds. Dulac's jewel-toned illustrations offer a gateway to realms of wonder and whimsy, inviting us to leave behind the ordinary and embark on extraordinary adventures.
(Pictured: The Snow Queen, 1911)
In the early part of the twentieth century, Britain was graced with a Golden Age of illustrated books for children. Beautifully bound volumes, with their tipped-in colour plates on glossy art paper, revealed the land of exquisite dreams
(Pictured: ‘Everything about her was white’, 1915, watercolour)
"Art is a marriage of the conscious and the unconscious," Edmund Dulac once remarked, reflecting on the enchanting process of creation that defines his work. Born in Toulouse, France, in 1882, Dulac's artistic journey began at a young age. He had a passion for the artistic styles and stories of distant lands. This appetite was nurtured by the artwork and prints that his father brought home from his travels for young Edmund to study. He also loved the works of English artist-illustrators, such as Walter Crane, William Morris, and Aubrey Beardsley. Trained at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts, his talent quickly caught the attention of publishers and art enthusiasts alike. Moving to London in the early 20th century, Dulac's illustrations graced the pages of numerous books, capturing the hearts and imaginations of readers around the world.
With a stroke of his brush, Dulac breathes life into fairy tales and stories, infusing them with a sense of ethereal beauty and timeless charm. "The true artist is not proud," Dulac once said, "he unfortunately sees that art has no limits; he feels darkly how far he is from the goal." His intricate designs, vibrant jewel colours, and attention to detail transport us to far-off lands where fairies flutter and mermaids swim
One cannot help but be captivated by Dulac's mastery of light and shadow, as he effortlessly creates depth and dimension within his illustrations. Each scene is meticulously crafted, inviting viewers to linger and explore every hidden corner, where secrets wait to be discovered and mysteries unfold. Dulac was known for his mastery of watercolour painting. He often employed this medium to create rich, vibrant illustrations with a soft, ethereal quality. His use of watercolour allowed him to achieve delicate transitions of colour and subtle gradations of light and shadow, adding depth and dimension to his artwork. In Dulac's world, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and the mundane is transformed into the magical. His illustrations are not merely images on a page; they are portals to other worlds and our inner-child, where imagination reigns supreme and anything is possible.
From the haunting beauty of "The Little Mermaid" to the whimsical charm of "The Arabian Nights," Dulac's illustrations evoke a sense of wonder and enchantment that is impossible to resist. "The sketches have naturally been influenced by the events of the time, which one has lived through," Dulac once reflected, acknowledging the interplay between his art and the world around him. His timeless classics continue to inspire and delight readers of all ages, proving that the magic of storytelling knows no bounds.
So, if you find yourself in need of a little nostalgic escapism, look no further than the warm, enchanting illustrations of Edmund Dulac. Lose yourself in the pages of his books, and let your imagination take flight as you journey to the far reaches of fantasy.
