The Empty Chair, woodcut by Sir Samuel Luke Fildes, R. A. (1844-1927). Adapted from Fildes' watercolour on paper. The Graphic, Christmas 1870. Source: Thomson 27.
While it may have been "primarily an obituary image" (Choe 86), it does seem that the painting's translation into a woodcut for The Graphic for the Christmas number of 1870 "can be read as a surrogate portrait with the chair emblematizing the absent sitter's identity and creative spirit" (87). Its popularity in the periodical certainly attested to its appeal.
Related Material
Bibliography
Choe, Jian. "Luke Fildes' The Empty Chair: Innovation and Influence." Dickens Quarterly, Vol. 42, No. 1 (March 2025), 86-105.
Frith, William Powell. Charles Dickens in His Study. 1859. Victoria and Albert Museum. Wikipedia, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Dickens_in_His_Study.
Orestano, Francesca. "The Empty Chair: Nostalgia, Celebrty, Heritage." Dickens Quarterly, Vol. 42, No. 1 (March 2025), 71-85.
Thomson, David Croal. The Art Annual, 1895: The Life and Work of Luke Fildes, R. A. With numerous illustrations. London: The Art Journal Office (294, City Road, and 26, Ivy Lane), Christmas 1895.
Created 27 August 2012
Last modified 19 April 2025