John Hassall (1868 - 1948)

A example of what happens when English yeoman stock is trained in Art Nouveau Paris (the Academie Julien 1894) He was a prolific illustrator and poster artist with a highly personal style of flat washed images of some density of colour. Here is his work for two cheap children's edition of Gulliver's Travels (Blackie's of Glasgow, c1910 and 1930 (1952) which in its clear colours and firm drawing is a characteristic example of Hassall at his best. He has ways of drawing the ordinary with confidence, ingenuity and a sense of wonder. I have always enjoyed his depictions of smoke and flowing water.