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.
49 illustrations
A white-bearded figure folds its knees beneath an overhanging rock, the narrow shelter pressing closely around its back.
The standing traveller and the two guardians form a tense group at the threshold.
The creature’s body stretches across the sea like a ridge of land, with its spout rising against the cloudy sky.
A speaker sits high among trees and rocks, with listeners gathered closely below him and further figures receding into the landscape.
A kneeling figure raises an arm towards a pale winged visitor above a rocky ledge, surrounded by heavy trees and a narrow opening of sky.
Low stone remains and a small carved figure occupy a shaded rocky site beneath overhanging trees.
Two travellers scramble among immense angular rocks beneath a pale sky.
A woman's face and shoulders emerge among low rocks beside a small cascade and a solitary tree.
A spotted cat crouches between rocks while Dante draws back on the higher ground; a distant landscape opens beyond the obstruction.
Two closely joined figures float above jagged rock, their drapery lifting around their bodies against the dark air.
A broad-bodied figure crouches among the rocks while the two travellers stand together beyond him beside a pale, narrow passage.
A cloaked rider carries a young woman on a pale horse among underwater rocks and creatures.
A dark winged figure reaches towards a pale fairy floating above mountain slopes.
A mermaid sits on a pale bank with long golden hair flowing over her shoulders and tail.
A cloaked figure sits among rough rocks and small gathered creatures.
A pale human form appears above a hollow surrounded by broken rocks.
Small figures travel and work across a broad landscape of hills, fields and river banks.
A woman kneels among scattered rocks and turns towards a shadowy upright presence beside a steep cliff.
An aged man kneels before a luminous robed figure and raises the hem of its garment towards his face.
Several figures gather on a high rocky shore and look towards a sailing ship in the distance.
A lighthouse stands above steep rocks surrounded by breaking water.
Two small children stand on a broad pink bridge above winding blue water.
A great winged figure bends forward with lowered head and arms held close to the body.
A nude figure sits on a rocky ledge with head lifted towards a break in the clouds.
A small fisherman stands with a knife beside an immense upright shadow.
A small child emerges from a luminous cloud above a seated dark-haired piper.
A pale bird perches beside a sleeping youth on a rocky ledge beneath a star-filled sky.
White water rises against a steep cliff while smaller waves surge between foreground rocks.
A cluster of pale golden domes and towers rises beyond a rugged foreground of dark rocks.
A small wooden vessel heels between huge dark rocks while white waves climb around the hull.
A muscular figure braces above curling waves with a line drawn tight across the scene.
A line of burdened figures climbs over jagged rocks beneath bands of cloud and a tall mountain.
A pale young woman rests among dark rocks and low branches above the surrounding water.
Several dark stones lie across a broad pale iceberg above ridged sides and open water.
A broad stream divides around rocks before dropping into a bright foaming pool.
A great angel rises above dark rocks and water while supporting a small pale human form.
An immense black bird spreads its wings over a pale-robed woman beside rough rocks.
White water moves around dark rocks beneath steep wooded banks.
Two steep rock walls rise above a narrow stretch of water and distant buildings.
A small timbered mill and its wheel stand among rocks and flowering plants beside a narrow watercourse.
Rounded flowering shrubs spread across a low garden bank beside a tall stone lantern.
Scarlet leaves rise above a roofed garden entrance beside a stone lantern.
A high snow-covered peak rises above rocks, pines and a small waterfall.
A high triangular summit rises above snowfields, dark rocks and green alpine ground.
A red-haired woman in a dark flowing gown sits upon a rocky shore with a pale scarf stretched across her lap.
A huge fur-clad figure lifts a heavy club above another giant fallen among the rocks.
A tall flame twists upwards beside a long spear amid dark rocks.
A long-haired woman kneels beside a small child on a pale beach.
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