ART & ARTISTS: 2025

Wednesday, 9 July 2025

Kate Greenaway - part 2

Kate Greenaway (Catherine Greenaway) (1846-1901) was a children's book illustrator and writer. Her first book, Under the Window (1879), a collection of simple, perfectly idyllic verses concerning children who endlessly gathered posies, untouched by the Industrial Revolution, was a best-seller. The Kate Greenaway Medal, established in her honour in 1955, is awarded annually by the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in the UK to an illustrator of children's books. New techniques of photolithography enabled her delicate watercolours to be reproduced. Through the 1880s and 90s, in popularity her only rivals in the field of children's book illustration were Walter Crane and Randolph Caldecott, himself also the eponym of a highly-regarded prize medal.

Part 2 of a 13-part series on the works of Kate Greenaway.

For more biographical information and for earlier works, see part 1 also.

1879 Under the Window:

You see, merry Phillis, that dear little maid,

Three tabbies took out their cats to tea,

Margery Brown, on top of the hill,

Little wind, blow on the hill-top,

Indeed it is true, it is perfectly true,

School is over,

" Little Polly, will you go a-walking to-day?"

As I was walking up the street,

Five little sisters walking in a row;

In go-cart so tiny My sister I drew;

Some geese went out a-walking,

You are going out to tea to-day,

Tommy was a silly boy,

Higgledy, piggledy! see how they run!

Which is the way to Somewhere Town?

The boat sails away, like a bird on the wing,

Pipe thee high, and pipe thee low,

Polly's, Peg's, and Popperty's

Bowl away! bowl away!

" For what are you longing, you three little boys?

O Ring the bells! O ring the bells!

Then ring the bells! then ring the bells!

I saw a ship that sailed the sea,

Yes, that's the girl that struts about,

It was Tommy who said,

"Shall I sing? says the Lark,

Little Miss Patty and Master Paul

Yes, it is said of them -

Now, all of you, give heed unto

What is Tommy running for

A Butcher's boy met a baker's boy

The twelve Miss Pelicoes,

Little baby, if I threw

The finest, biggest fish, you see,

Prince Finnikin and his mamma

Heigh Ho! - time creeps but slow;

My house is red - a little house,

Three little girls were sitting on a rail,

Ring the bells - ring!

End piece

1880 Afternoon Tea:

Front cover

Frontispiece

Afternoon Tea

The Hedgehog

Monday, 7 July 2025

Kate Greenaway - part 1

Catherine (Kate) Greenaway (1846-1901) was a celebrated English illustrator and writer, best known for her enchanting children's book illustrations. Born on 17th March 1846, in Hoxton, London, she was the daughter of John Greenaway, a woodblock printer, and Elizabeth Greenaway, a seamstress.

Kate's artistic talent was evident from a young age, and she received her education at several prestigious art schools, including the Heatherley School of Fine Art and the Slade School of Fine Art. Her career began with designing greeting cards, but she gained widespread acclaim with the publication of her first children's book, 'Under the Window' (1879). This book, which featured her delicate watercolour illustrations, was an instant success and established her as a leading children's book illustrator of the Victorian era.

Her work was characterised by its charming depictions of children in idyllic, pastoral settings, often dressed in traditional English costumes. Throughout her career, Greenaway illustrated over 50 books, including nursery rhyme collections, alphabet books and her own annual almanacs. Her illustrations were noted for their attention to detail, soft colour palette, and evocative portrayal of childhood innocence. Some of her most famous works include 'The Pied Piper of Hamelin' (1888) and 'Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes' (1900). Greenaway's influence extended beyond her illustrations; she also contributed to the design of children's clothing and toys, further cementing her legacy in the world of children's culture. Despite her success, Greenaway remained humble and dedicated to her craft until her death on November 6, 1901, in Frognal, London.

Part 1 of a 13-part series on the works of Kate Greenaway:

1870 "Aunt Louisa's Nursery Favourite" published by Frederick Warne & Co.