The Golden Age of Illustration- visual culture

The Golden Age of Illustration 

Throughout history the act of illustration has always been, even the cavemen illustrated happenings on the walls of there caves. 
Although the terminology illustration or illustrator has not always existed, before the 1800's the job title illustrator was barely if ever used illustrations were just referred to as art. 

In the 19th century illustration became a big thing.
 Illustrations increased the sales of previously published fiction as issues were released containing illustrations from 'artists' either existing or up and coming.

The Pickwick Papers

Charles Dickens "the Pickwick Papers' was published in 1839 in an illustrated format this revolutionised the publication or new fiction. 
This has, throughout the years been illustrated  by many different illustartors, but the very first illustrator was Robert Seymour.
 Seymour was a British born illustrator, not only known for his illustrations but also for his caricatures.



(ROBERT SEYMOUR)

(THE PICKWICK PAPERS)

Many artists began their careers illustrating fiction. 
Being an illustrator was a badly paid job.
 Very few artists managed to create a full time job and a living out of being an illustrator alone.
 Most artists just used illustration as a stepping stone to get into painting.
 One of the few who managed to create a full time job and living out of this was Hablot Knight Browne. 

This artist was born in England in 1815. He was best known by his pen name 'Phiz' he illustrated books by Charles Dickens, Charles Lever and Harrison Ainsworth.

Upon researching illustrations during this age I have managed to conclude my findings.
I found that: 
Nearly all illustrations from this time pay close attention to the line work. 
Other aspects such as colour and lighting, are almost viewed as secondary aspects that the drawing doesn't really need.
 Even the brightest of colours in these illustrations are a little dull. 
Even though this may because the instruments of the time weren't able to recreate as vibrant colours as we have today, or that they would be too expensive to print.
 The relatively dull colours definitely play a big part in the style. 



(MERRYS MUSEUM 1848)



( 'L'HISTOIRE NATURELLE GENERALE ET PARTICULIERE SES MOLLUSQUES' BY D - FRENCH SCHOOL, (19TH CENTURY)  )

Images from the 19th century still influence illustrations from today. For example, the above image of a giant octopus attacking a ship out in the sea, clearly has a heavy influence in the illustrations used for the popular Kraken rum.

The attention to line and the muted colour reflects a heavy 19th century influence.

(Kraken Rum)

How this will effect my work

After researching this time period I have realised not everything needs bright vivid colour to be a successful and attractive image, and this will effect me in the way I work as I will no longer feel the need to apply bright colours to make my work attractive and eye catching. It has also came to my attention that the reason these images are so striking is the use of clean strokes and line work. This has made me rethink my own work and I will now pay more attention to apply cleaner smoother lines.