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.
36 illustrations
A long scaled dragon curves through deeply worked clouds beside part of a bronze structure.
A central ridge separates repeated black spirals and broad pale curves across an oval face.
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.
Two long-bodied creatures occupy a shallow rectangular relief around a central circular form.
Several scaled dragons interlace across a broad rectangular panel edged with a narrow border.
Dragon heads and curling bodies form an elaborate frame around a small suspended bell.
A slender carved column rises above a balustraded platform beneath a projecting ornamental capital.
Circles labelled with fields of knowledge overlap around a crowded central region.
A crowned figure sits upon a great lotus with several arms extending around the body and holding different attributes.
Two small standing figures appear within a narrow architectural niche beneath an immense fierce carved face.
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.
An eagle-headed winged figure wears a patterned robe, carries a small vessel and raises a rounded object in its other hand.
A long-bearded figure holds a lion close against his body while a curved implement hangs from the other hand.
A long fish skin covers the back of a standing figure, its open head rising over the human face.
Apollo reaches towards Daphne as leaves and branches extend from her raised hands and her lower body joins a tree-like support.
Looped and pointed tools are arranged above a jointed support for a standing figure.
Fierce faces and overlapping bodies crowd a narrow carved relief.
Tall openings, fine hanging forms and sculptural figures fill an ethereal architectural setting.
A human figure rests on bent arms with knees raised and head turned towards the viewer.
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10 plates
