Famous children's book illustrator, Walter Crane, was born in 1845 in Liverpool. He stepped into the field of illustration and design after he had shifted to London and produced a number of paintings, book illustrations, wallpaper designs, ceramics and decorative designs. Crane played a crucial role in setting up the Art and Crafts Exhibition Society and wrote two significant books on design and decoration.
Early Life of Walter Crane
Born on August 15, 1845 in Liverpool, Walter Crane was the son of portrait painter and miniaturist Thomas Crane. He was a good artist in his young age and later took up the profession of illustrator and designer. In 1857, Walter Crane shifted to London with his family.
Crane, after his father's death, began working as an apprentice at the engraving shop of William Linton. Linton, who had played a major role in the struggle that took place in London for parliamentary reforms, appreciated Crane's artworks and helped him in building up his career in the field of illustration and designing. Walter Crane's first job was to make illustrations for a book by J. R. Wise.
A Master Illustrator and Designer
Walter Crane of Liverpool soon earned popularity for his paintings, ceramic tiles, decorative designs and illustrations. Though he produced a large number of book illustrations, paintings and designs, Crane specialized in illustrating children's book. Known widely as a children's book illustrator, he also participated actively in politics during 1860s.
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Greatly influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (consisting of famous artists and literary figures like John Ruskin, John Everette Millais and D.G. Rossetti), Walter Crane produced designs and illustrations for Tennyson's 'Lady of Shallot'. He was also influenced by the Elgin marbles that were displayed in the British Museum and studied Japanese color pictures.
Crane's career as an illustrator and designer was at its zenith during 1870s. By that time he had earned fame as a children's book illustrator and received a number of commissions. Walter Crane was appointed by Jeffrey & Co. for designing wallpapers and by Maw & Co. for designing tiles.
Other works of Walter Crane
Besides book illustrations, ceramic designs and decorative art, Crane also produced a number of paintings. The paintings of Walter Crane were put on display at various art galleries of London including the Royal Academy. One of his most beautiful and famous painting is 'At Home' that is exhibited at the Art Gallery of Leeds.
A close friend of William Morris, Crane played an integral role in the institutionalization of the Art and Crafts Exhibition Society of London. This master illustrator had also written several books on design and decorative art like 'The Decorative Illustration of Books' in 1896 and 'Line and Form' in 1900.
Although Crane passed away in 1915, he is still remembered as one of the significant illustrators of children's book. His works are still available and his designs are exhibited at various art exhibitions that are held in the present times.
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