Influence of the English Pre-Raphaelite Movement

Working closely with William Morris, but securing a reputation of their own in the studio arts, the artists of the short-lived Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood like Morris looked to medieval motifs for their books arts.  Edwin Burne-Jones (1833-1898), who also produced stained glass and painted furniture designs for the Morris company, was best known as a painter.  (You can see both The Council Chamber and The Prioress' Tale at the Delaware Art Museum.)  In In the Dawn of the World (printed in the United States after his death), Burne-Jones undertakes a religious topic.  Following his lead, the Rhead brothers (of whom Louis is the most famous) were influenced by the English Pre-Raphaelites in their use of the decorated medieval border.  

In the Dawn of the World. Being Twenty-Five Pictures Illustrative of a Portion of the Book of Genesis. Boston: Charles E. Goodspeed, 1903.

Illustrated by: Edward Burne-Jones (1833-1898)

Gift of: Evan Hopkins Turner

John Bunyan. The Pilgrim’s Progress.  New York: The Century Co., 1898.

Illustrated by: George Woolliscroft Rhead (1855-1920), Frederick Rhead (1856-1933), Louis Rhead (1858-1933)

Cover Design by: George Woolliscroft Rhead, Frederick Rhead, Louis Rhead

“This man is in a journey . . .”

John Bunyan. The Pilgrim’s Progress. New York: The Century Co., 1898.

Illustrated by: George Woolliscroft Rhead (1855-1920), Frederick Rhead (1856-1933), Louis Rhead (1858-1933)