Edwin Austin Abbey was an American muralist, illustrator, and painter, born on April 1, 1852, in Philadelphia. He is best known for his drawings and paintings of Shakespearean and Victorian subjects, as well as for his painting of Edward VII's coronation.
Early Life and Education
Abbey studied art at the
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia under Christian Schuessele. He began his career as an illustrator, producing numerous illustrations and sketches for magazines such as
Harper's Weekly and
Scribner's Magazine. His illustrations were strongly influenced by French and German black and white art.
Career
Abbey's work can be found in various museums, including the
Boston Public Library, where his famous set of murals,
The Quest and Achievement of the Holy Grail, is displayed. He also illustrated several best-selling books, including
Christmas Stories by Charles Dickens and
Selections from the Poetry of Robert Herrick. In 1883, he was elected to the
Royal Institute of Painters in Water-Colours.
Some of his notable works include:
Abbey's style is characterized by his use of
chiaro-oscuro, drawing, and composition. He was praised by critics for his
inexhaustible creativeness,
clearness and vividness of conception, and
poetic perception of beauty.
Awards and Recognition
Abbey received a gold medal at the
Pan-American Exposition and was commissioned to paint the coronation of King Edward VII. He was also elected as a full member of the
Royal Academy in 1898.
For more information about Edwin Austin Abbey, visit
Edwin Austin Abbey's page on WahooArt.com or his
Wikipedia page. You can also explore the
Boston Public Library and
Royal Academy collections on WahooArt.com to see more of his works.