A binding by Gleeson White for his own work, ‘English Illustration: The Sixties, 1855

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Cloth binding for ‘English Illustration’

Joseph William Gleeson White

1897

Cloth binding with gilt overlays

16 x 10 inches

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Arts and Crafts Design

Photograph and text by Simon Cooke

From the Simon Cooke Collection [You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link to this URL in a web document or cite it in a print one.]

This elaborate Arts and Crafts design, binding the pages of his own writing, is a prime example of Gleeson White's capacity to combine decorative effects with symbolic meanings. The pattern, made of a topiary of alternating rosettes and leaves, suggests the multi-faceted nature of mid-Victorian illustration while also emphasing the flow and interconnectedness between styles and artists by visualizing the movement in an organic motif: like nature, visual art grows. The preciousness of the design, with its elaborate gold blocking, further implies that English illustration of the fifties and sixties is a genuine treasure.

Bibliography

White, Gleeson J W. English Illustration: The Sixties, 1855–70 (1894). London: Constable, 1897.

Created 20 October 2018