Not currently on display at the V&A

Original illustration for The Language of Flowers

Illustration
ca.1884 (drawn)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Kate Greenaway (1846-1901) was an influential illustrator and writer and member of the Aesthetic Movement. Trained at the Slade School of Art, she went on to produce illustrations for greetings cards, calendars, books and magazines, notably The Illustrated London News. In 1877 she exhibited at the Royal Academy and started a collaboration with the colour-printer Edmund Evans, producing several children's books including Under The Window (1879), The Birthday Book (1880), Mother Goose (1881) and The Language of Flowers (1884). Her first almanac, published in 1883, sold over 90,000 copies. These tiny illustrations appeared in one of Greenaway's best-loved books, The Language of Flowers, printed by Edmund Evans and published by George Routledge in 1884.

Her unique blend of Pre-Raphaelite detail, bold design and delicate colours also appeared on china, tiles, wallpaper and ephemera. She was a close friend of Helen Allingham and her work was admired by the writer and critic John Ruskin. She drew from life and is best known for her illustrations of quaint but dispirited and melancholic children dressed in Regency costume.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleOriginal illustration for <i>The Language of Flowers</i> (generic title)
Materials and techniques
pen and ink and watercolour
Brief description
Pen and ink and watercolour drawings of a flower and sprig of ivy by Kate Greenaway, ca.1890.
Physical description
Small pen and ink and watercolour sketches of a red and yellow flower and a sprig of ivy on paper.
Dimensions
  • Whole height: 139mm
  • Whole width: 190mm
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'to be printed each side' (Pencil note on recto)
  • 'A p.11' (Pencil note on recto)
  • Drawing pin holes in bottom corners.
Credit line
Donated by Anne Renier and F.G. Renier.
Object history
Drawn by Kate Greenaway for The Language of Flowers, ca. 1884. Acquired by the Reniers from 'S' in July 1968. Bequeathed to the V&A in 1970 by Anne and Fernand G. Renier as part of the Renier Collection.
Subjects depicted
Literary referenceOriginal drawings for Kate Greenaway's <i>The Language of Flowers</i>, printed by Edmund Evans and published by George Routledge in 1884.
Summary
Kate Greenaway (1846-1901) was an influential illustrator and writer and member of the Aesthetic Movement. Trained at the Slade School of Art, she went on to produce illustrations for greetings cards, calendars, books and magazines, notably The Illustrated London News. In 1877 she exhibited at the Royal Academy and started a collaboration with the colour-printer Edmund Evans, producing several children's books including Under The Window (1879), The Birthday Book (1880), Mother Goose (1881) and The Language of Flowers (1884). Her first almanac, published in 1883, sold over 90,000 copies. These tiny illustrations appeared in one of Greenaway's best-loved books, The Language of Flowers, printed by Edmund Evans and published by George Routledge in 1884.

Her unique blend of Pre-Raphaelite detail, bold design and delicate colours also appeared on china, tiles, wallpaper and ephemera. She was a close friend of Helen Allingham and her work was admired by the writer and critic John Ruskin. She drew from life and is best known for her illustrations of quaint but dispirited and melancholic children dressed in Regency costume.
Other numbers
  • 38041803040179 - Previous National Art Library barcode
  • 862.AA.0048 - Previous National Art Library pressmark
  • 370825 - Previous National Art Library bib. no.
Collection
Library number
RENIER.435

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Record createdMay 13, 2008
Record URL
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