Artist of Wonderland: The Life, Political Cartoons, and Illustrations of Tenniel

John Tenniel was a famous political cartoonist of the Victorian era, known for his illustrations of Lewis Carroll's Alice books. This book is the first to draw primarily on primary sources from family collections, public archives, and other depositories, providing a definitive resource for scholars and collectors. It explores Tenniel's life, from his childhood to his work with Lewis Carroll and Punch cartoons, and examines his methods, the Alice pictures, and the Punch cartoons.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 427 pages
Publication date: 25 February 2022
Publisher: James Clarke & Co Ltd

John Tenniel, the renowned illustrator of Lewis Carroll's Alice books, holds a prominent place in the realm of Victorian-era political cartoonists. This extensively illustrated volume stands as the inaugural work to predominantly rely on primary sources sourced from family collections, public archives, and other repositories. In his comprehensive examination of Tenniel's life and artistic endeavors, Frankie Morris has crafted a remarkable book that caters to scholars and collectors alike, while also offering an engaging and accessible narrative for enthusiasts of Victorian life, art, social history, journalism, political cartoons, and illustrated books.

From his idyllic childhood marked by a fondness for sports, theatre, and medievalism, to his brief flirtation with high art and his enduring fifty-year association with the esteemed London journal Punch, Tenniel emerges as a captivating and urbane humorist, evident in his captivating drawings. The subsequent three chapters delve into Tenniel's artistic journey, exploring his methods, earlier book illustrations, the iconic Alice pictures, and the renowned Punch cartoons. Morris addresses subjects that have remained somewhat enigmatic, such as Tenniel's intricate woodblock drawings, his close relationship with Lewis Carroll, and his controversial Irish cartoons. Additionally, he delves into the distinctive features of Tenniel's approximately 4,500 drawings for books and journals, shedding light on his artistic prowess and contributions to the world of illustration.

Artist of Wonderland stands as the definitive study of both the man and his remarkable work, providing an unparalleled perspective on the cartoonist who mythologized the world for generations of Britons. Through meticulous research and insightful analysis, Morris has unveiled a rich tapestry of Tenniel's life and artistic achievements, leaving readers with a deeper appreciation for his enduring legacy in the realm of illustration.

ISBN-13: 9780718894603