Ronald Searle , born 1920.
It is difficult to know where to start illustrating Ronald Searle's achievements,
and in particular, his influence on other illustrators. Rather than attempt
a survey, I'll include lesser known works of sheer brilliance.
Here is a complex and very funny comic book version of the Odyssey , from
Punch May 25th 1955. It is a marvellous summary of all the visual conventions
(cliches ?) of the art form. 16 x 22cms.
The second and last work is a Canadian book illustrated for the Hudson
Bay Company, celebrated trappers. The Great Fur Opera ,
Stephen Greene Press, Battleboro 1970. The page size is 20 x 27.5cms.Searle
did the illustrations and the text is by Kildare Dobbs whose portrait
appears on the back
cover.
left -
front cover and right - characteristic lettering from a chapter heading.
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