Richard Doyle

Richard Doyle - the unreliably talented artist

Richard Doyle (1824-1883) was cartoonist and illustrator, who draw the first cover page of legendary Punch which lasted about a century, and illustrated many books for children and adults but not as nearly as he could if he wasn't so unreliable and full of excuses for being late with delivering his work, which was also often of unequal quality. Considered kind of successor of Richard Cruikshank, he really should not afford so non-serious attitude.

We still can't deny the charm of his work with several peaks and the illustration from the extravagant picture book In Fairyland is certainly one of them:

Here are few less known facts about Richard Doyle, who was called Dickie, Dicky or Dick Kitcat among his friends:

1. He had art in genes. His father John was cartoonis, his older brother James writer and illustrator, and his younger brothers Henry and Charles illustrators too. Although Richard was the most talented of all, the biggest fame was achieved by his nephew (Charles' son) Arthur Conan Doyle, author of the world most famous detective.

2.Although being one of the most valued contributors of the Punch, he resigned from the paper because its mockery of Catholicism didn't match with his faith (he was of Irish ancestry and Catholic in mostly Protestant world), what was probably one of the turning points in his career. Illustrating books became more important and he devoted more time to watercolors what eventually led to such beauties like the one above.

3.When we already mentioned In Fairyland, we can add the illustrations were made around the poem of William Allingham, who's wife Helen became famous with her paintings of English cottages. Just like her, Richard Doyle made series of paintings of old country houses in watercolours, but they never brought him any noteworthy success.