Physical description

A nighttime scene with dancing elves.

Place of Origin

England (made)

Date

1870 (published)

Artist/maker

Doyle, Richard, born 1824 - died 1883 (artist)
Allingham, William, born 1824 - died 1889 (poet)
Longman (publisher)

Materials and Techniques

Colour etching and letterpress on paper

Marks and inscriptions

An Elfin Dance by Night appears to be the subject of this picture at first sight; but a Fairy Queen may be seen seated in the foreground, and it looks as if she and the Fairy King, who has gone up upon the toadstool, and turned his back upon / her, have had 'words'. But it is supposed that the little creature whispering in her ear brings a message of reconciliation; and that is why the Elves, an amicable race, are showing their joy by dancing like mad.

Dimensions

Height: 27.5 cm Sheet size, Width: 37.5 cm Sheet size

Descriptive line

Print by Richard Doyle, entitled 'Plate XIV An Elfin Dance by Night', part of a volume 'In Fairyland: A Series of Pictures from the Elf World' with a poem by William Allingham, published London, 1870

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Taken from R.P. 1997/452 Acquisition Form
Taken from R.P. 1997/452 Catalogue Sheet

Production Note

This print is an illustration from the book In Fairyland: A Series of Pictures from the Elf World, published in London in 1870.

Materials

Paper; Printing inks

Techniques

Etching (printing process); Letterpress printing

Categories

Prints; Fairy Tales and Legends; Books

Collection

Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection