A sketch book of R. Caldecott's, page 11

Category

Library Item

Item no

34255

Title

A sketch book of R. Caldecott's, page 11

Description

The sketch titled 'April' depicts a young man holding an umbrella for the girl he is courting as he walks beside her. Two other couples can be seen in the background, one walking on the grass and one sitting on a bench. Clouds drawn overhead and the use of umbrellas suggests this is supposed to depict a rainy spring day. The accompanying text reads 'In the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.' This particular image displays the courtship practices of Victorian era couples. Caldecott's depiction of couples cuddling closely under umbrellas illustrates the idea that perhaps the incessant rain was not disagreeable weather after all.

Artist / maker

Caldecott, Randolph

Date

1883

Size

17.2 x 25.7 cm

Type

Chromolithograph

Location

Art and Design Library

This volume of sketches by the artist, Randolph Caldecott (1846-1886) attempts to capture raw human nature and the variety of everyday life for Caldecott’s subjects through the seasons. Caldecott was proficient in creating a narrative quality in his pictures. He depicts scenes of local country life, with images of people partaking in different activities, the natural scenery around them, as well as a variety of different animals that interact with human life. This sketchbook contains a mixture of vibrant colour and monochrome sketches capturing views, figures and animals. Every image exemplifies Caldecott's dedication to depicting the finer details and his clear fondness for depicting his subjects as they were, in their natural environment. Caldecott is widely renowned for his detailed illustrations and his work is considered to have transformed children’s books during the Victorian era, a period which is considered the ‘Golden age’ of illustration with the influence of artists like Caldecott still resonating today.

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Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Umbrellas

Landscape > Landscape architectural facilities > Parks

Natural phenomena > Weather > Rain

People > Adults > Men

People > Adults > Women

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