Kate Greenaway - Work Life
London Artist and Poet's Work Includes Under The Window Collection
The rosy-cheeked children in perfect surroundings created by Kate Greenaway are instantly recognisable. She combines the careful design and simple composition of the Aesthetic Movement with the intricate detail of the Pre-Raphaelites whom she so greatly admired. Although not formally trained as a lettering artist, her lettering exhibits a strong sense of balance and control.
The first book that Kate both wrote and illustrated, a collection of poems entitled “Under the Window”, was engraved by Edmund Evans and published in 1879 by Routledge. The book was produced in high-quality full colour and the initial printing of 20,000 copies sold out instantly. Kate earned £800 in the first year as domestic and foreign sales soared to one hundred thousand copies. Within months of its initial publication a vast assortment of items were inspired by the book. These included embroidered handkerchiefs, bookmarks, metal buttons, advertising cards, and scarves. Even sheet music and pirated books began to appear in the shops. Wallpapers, china and ceramic items also received the Greenaway make-over. Designs from “Under the Window” even found their way onto theatre and dance programmes.
Kate wrote and illustrated a number of highly successful books including “Mother Goose” (1881), ”The Language of Flowers” (1884), “Baby’s Birthday Book” (1886) and the series of “Kate Greenaway’s Almanacs”. The first almanac sold more than 90,000 copies with Kate receiving £5 per drawing and half of the profit from sales.
Kate was also contracted to illustrate the work of others, including Robert Browning’s “The Pied Piper of Hamelin” in 1888. She was also a regular contributor to various magazines including “The Illustrated London News”, “Punch” and “The Girl’s Own Paper”.
John Ruskin, champion of the Pre-Raphaelites, was a close friend and confidant whose guidance strongly influenced Kate’s artistic development. His outspoken criticism upset Kate on many occasions but even so this friendship was, on Kate’s part, more akin to love. Ruskin just didn’t see it that way. The pair enjoyed a frantic correspondence for some twenty years during which she often expressed her deep feelings for Ruskin. Despite this she and Ruskin never married and this probably contributed to her frequent bouts of depression in later life.
On page 109 of his book entitled Kate Greenaway (Academy Editions London, 1976)R. K. Engen cites this poem written by Kate expressing her feelings for John Ruskin.
Nothing to do but part dear
Oh love love love, my heart
Is slowly breaking and coldness creeping
Nearer into my every part.
Nothing to do but part dear
Look at me before you go
And clasp my hands lightly, Kiss me
Good bye, it's better so.
Collectors around the world cherish the few surviving books written and illustrated by Kate Greenaway and a surprising amount of paper ephemera still survives including book plates, greetings cards, calendars, calling cards, decorated gift boxes, paper dolls and post cards.
Kate’s memory is still honoured annually when the Kate Greenaway Medal, established in 1956 by the Library Association of Great Britain, is awarded for the best children’s book illustration.
If you would like to read more about the life of Kate Greenaway The Kate Greenaway Book by B. Holme (Warne, F., Viking Penguin, Inc., 1976) would be a good place to start. Alternatively, Kate Greenaway by R. K. Engen(London: Academy Editions, 1976) is another good reference book.
