Library Item

A sketch book of R. Caldecott's, page 5.

1883

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.