Some, such as Nathaniel Hawthorne's Wonder Book, include Rackham's experimentation with partially coloured prints, similar to the effect seen with Japanese woodblock art. Many of the books Rackham illustrated include both his black and white, and color plates. He became a member of the Royal Watercolour Society and mastered the watercolor method of painting, seen in many of his works. His styles ranged easily from vivid, bright splashes of color to more muted, subtle tones. Rackham's pieces were known for their luxurious use of colour and keen attention to detail. The technological advancements necessary to produce color-separated printing was new, and Rackham's vibrant, lavish style of sumptuous illustration helped propel the edition to the status of instant classic, while simultaneously bringing attention to Rackham and his work, and making a name for him. In 1905, when Rackham was 38 years old, he created 51 color pieces to accompany Washington Irving's Rip Van Winkle. From that first publication, illustration was his career until the day he died at age 72, of cancer. The first of Rackham's illustrations to be published in a book were in 1893, in The Dolly Dialogues. He began studying at the Lambeth School of Art at the age of 18, and soon found his passion and calling.

James Cummins Bookseller, ABAA (New York, NY, U.S.A.)Īrthur Rackham was an illustrator in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Peter pan illustrated by arthur rackham