Walter Crane (1845-1915)
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Walter Crane was an English golden age illustrator and artist, and was a member of the Arts and Crafts movement. He was an illustrator of children’s books and also created paintings, drawings, pottery, ceramic tiles, textiles, wallpaper and other decorative arts. He was one of the most prominent artists of his time and became known for his whimsical style, which included allegorical paintings created in a variety of mediums and materials.
Crane was born in Liverpool, the son of portrait painter and miniaturist Thomas Crane, and likely received some of his initial training from his father. Crane’s earliest influences were the pre-Raphaelites, and he studied under John Ruskin. Crane had a number of other influences, including an apprenticeship with engraver William James Linton. However, it was perhaps the influence of Japanese-style woodcuts that influenced Crane’s style the most, and led him to create some of the most original and beautiful illustrations of his time.
His first success as an artists came with his 1862 illustration “The Lady of Shalott” which he created to illustrate Tennyson’s work by the same name.
Although this picture was exhibited at the Royal Academy, the Academy was steadily refusing his work at this time. Eventually, Crane stopped submitting his work for exhibition and increasingly began to work on book illustrations, particularly for children’s’ stories and nursery rhymes.
In 1871, Crane was married and took an extended trip to Italy. By 1874, Crane had established himself as a well known book illustrator and was allowed more creative freedom. His 1874 illustrations for “The Frog Prince” showed a strong Japanese-style influence.
Crane continued to create illustrations for children’s books, including nursery rhymes for “The Baby’s Opera,” as well as fairy tales and other stories by famous authors like Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Crane became involved in the Socialist movement in the 1880’s as a result of his friendship with writer and decorator William Morris. Morris introduced Crane into creating art in the form of textiles, wallpaper and house decoration, all the while using his art to aide in the Socialist movement. This included providing cartoons for Socialist publications, which were eventually collected as “Cartoons for the Cause.” Crane also spent much of his time working for the Art Workers Guild, and it is said that he was more focused on achieving the ideals of Socialism through education, rather than revolution. Through his love of various mediums and his involvement in Socialism, Crane eventually became the founder of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society in 1888. Crane also became a member of the Water Colour Society that same year.
Though better known for his lithographs and detailed color illustrations, Crane also created a number of easel paintings in his mature years. He exhibited regularly at the New Gallery and the Grosvenor Gallery. These paintings were primarily allegorical in subject and featured mythological characters, as well as landscapes and portraits.
Throughout his life, Crane remained involved in the art world, and held a number of prestigious positions, such as the examiner for the Science and Art Department at the South Kensington Museum, and also as art director and principal for a number of schools, including the Royal College of Art.
Today, Crane’s work is one of the most frequently bid on at auction, and is prized for its beauty and elegance. Still wondering about an illustration or golden-age style painting in your family collection? Contact us…it could be by Walter Crane.