One of the joys of packing books is seeing and handling some that are just plain lovely to look at. I did that a lot, today, with an elegant collection of books illustrated by Arthur Rackham. He's England's version of N.C. Wyeth, who followed him only by a few years and who worked up images for some American classics.
Rackham's work is amazing and so detailed and yet picaresque in feel, even when painting Brunhilde kissing Siegfried's ring -- romantic and yet a bit quirky. His trees were never simply there; they drew attention to themselves in how they twisted about, adding to the raw melancholy of the image.
Wyeth's work is more romanticized and active in a classic, sweeping sort of way. Almost tender, even in a horrific situation. It also feels a bit posed. I like it, but it doesn't involve me so much as inspire appreciation of his use of color, setting, intent and shadow.
I think my favorite Rackham is of Titania, Queen of the Fairies, from Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Simple. Elegant and sweeping, but still picaresque in the little characters attending her.
I like.
I like.
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