Discover historical illustrations by subject, artist and book.
Creation and rebellion in Blake’s illuminated plates.
Norwegian fairy tales illustrated by Kay Nielsen.
Four colour drawings from a 1908 Gnostic text.
From the dark wood to Paradise with Gustave Doré.
Ethelwynne Quail’s visions of the spirit world.
Art Deco studies of fear by John Vassos.
27 illustrations
A central ridge separates repeated black spirals and broad pale curves across an oval face.
Two women in dark eye masks turn within a dense frame of curling leaves and flowers.
Round reflective eyes and exposed teeth dominate a skull-shaped face crossed by contrasting mosaic bands.
Deep creases draw the face around downturned eyes and an open mouth.
A tall woman in a long pale gown stands among small attendants and theatrical objects.
A youthful figure stretches or steps beside a tall old man holding a staff.
A small figure bends below an immense oval enclosure of flowing curtains and masks.
Two tall curved horns rise above an elongated face with small round eyes and a narrow muzzle.
Broad pale lobes frame two enormous concentric eyes above a projecting mouth.
Two large upright ears flank a narrow face with a prominent vertical ridge.
An elongated painted creature carries a dorsal fin and a projecting tail joined by visible cords.
A tall crest rises above staring eyes and an open mouth crowded with pointed teeth.
A youthful face rises above a patterned collar beneath a rounded head covering.
A narrow vertical structure combines a small face, patterned panels and long projecting points.
Several faces meet beneath a high irregular crest pierced by many small openings.
A rounded head is flanked by two immense ears above a long narrow trunk.
A profile figure wears an enormous feathered headdress and densely patterned clothing.
Dark curved patterns divide a pale oval face around sharply cut eyes and an open mouth.
A long pointed face carries a tall forked antler and a small dark circular eye.
A pale cylindrical face carries a long sweeping horn and a dark fringe of vertical marks.
A broad pale mask has deeply incised forehead lines, dark eye openings and an enormous open mouth.
A pale smiling face sits beneath a crown of small discs, flowers and hanging ornaments.
A broad face opens into a huge dark mouth framed by curved fangs and densely worked ornament.
A tall pointed crest rises above a broad horizontal band with circular eyes.
Named figures gather beneath an architectural canopy above a block of Italian text.
A dark-clothed figure rests a hand against the face above an open book.
A seated figure raises one hand while a dark-clothed watcher leans close behind.
27 plates
22 plates
4 plates
24 plates
10 plates
10 plates
