When we explore the great names of the Golden Age of Illustration in Europe - especially in England - a prominent stand out is Edmund Dulac. He was one of the great illustrators of the early twentieth century.
Edmund Dulac painted many wonderful pieces for a variety of stories - The Little Mermaid, Arabian Nights, Beauty and the Beast, Dreamer of Dreams, Daughters of the Stars, Fairy Tales of Hans Christian Andersen, The Garden of Paradise, Gods and Mortals in Love, Kingdom of the Pearl, Le Papillon Rouge, The Raven and Other Poems, The Rubaiyat, Stealers of Light, The Snow Queen, Tanglewood Tales, The Tempest.
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| a prized English edition,1925 |
wonder | wander | women were raised on his gorgeously intricate Orientalist illustrations. Fables and fairy tales that ignited our young lives and active imagination - immediately and for all time.
Much has been recorded about his life, how he rose to prominence during this golden era, and what made his illustrations so extraordinary.
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In exploring his inspirations, techniques, and most iconic works - along with a glimpse of his personal life and artistic legacy - our own dreams and aspirations were much elevated.
Isolated in our tiny island home we were blown away by his art. Especially the part where Dulac's work was deeply influenced by Japanese art and Art Nouveau.
Evident in his flowing lines, ornamental details, and the harmonious balance of light and shadow. His style is richly emotional, full of vibrant colors and subtle expressions that bring stories to life.
Upon closer inspection, a bit of Arthur Rackham’s influence is apparent in his style. Both lived in England and were famous during the same period - aside from mutual inspiration, they most likely shared clients and commissions.
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| Pearl of Love |
Dulac had a unique style and a distinct way of representing the worlds he illustrated though in his preference to paint rather than draw.
His artworks generally do not feature defined line work, leaving them less pronounced. Even when the market’s preference of the time favored outlines. Probably a legacy from the time when print technology required them.
Dulac focused on luxury edition books and exhibiting his original artworks at Leicester Galleries and Hodder & Stoughton, subsequently selling them to art afficionados and collectors.
We recently posted his ten commissioned illustrations for the deluxe English edition of The Kingdom of the Pearl was written by well-known Parisian jeweler, Leonard Rosenthal in 1919 and published in Paris as Au Royaume de la Perle.
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| Pearl of the Warrior |
Published in 1920 in London by Nisbet & Co. They are done in a Persian miniature style which remain quintessentially trademark Dulac. We hope they give you as much joy and inspiration.
After World War I, the demand for luxury edition illustrated books decreased, leading Dulac to explore other illustration markets. He worked on chocolate box illustrations, newspaper caricatures, portraits, theater set and costume design, magazine illustration for The American Weekly.
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| The Talisman Pearl |
During World War II, Dulac designed postage stamps and banknotes for France. He also designed the 20 zloty note for the Polish Bank and created stamps for the UK as well.
He continued to work as a book illustrator during this period - even though the editions were no longer as luxurious, and the work was less frequent.
We appreciate the evocative beauty of Dulac's art - glad it survived to grace our lives to this day.
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