- Greenaway, Kate
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orig. Catherine Greenawaydied Nov. 6, 1901, LondonBritish artist and children's-book illustrator.The daughter of a draftsman and wood engraver, she studied art in London. In 1868 she began to exhibit drawings, contribute illustrations to magazines, and design Christmas and Valentine cards. Her first book, Under the Window (1878), was followed by The Birthday Book (1880), Mother Goose (1881), and many others that were enormously successful; the beauty of these books created a revolution in book illustration, and her work was praised by leading art critics around the world. Her yearly almanacs (1888–97) also became very popular.
Illustration for "When We Went Out with Grandmamma" by Kate Greenaway for Marigold ...Mary Evans Picture Library, London* * *
▪ British illustratoralso called Catherine Greenawayborn March 17, 1846, London, Eng.died Nov. 6, 1901, LondonEnglish artist and book illustrator known for her original and charming children's books.The daughter of John Greenaway, a draftsman and wood engraver, Kate Greenaway grew up in various residences, including a farmhouse in Nottinghamshire, and studied art in various places, including London. She began to exhibit drawings in 1868, and her first published illustrations appeared in such magazines as Little Folks. In 1879 she produced her first successful book, Under the Window, followed by The Birthday Book (1880), Mother Goose (1881), Little Ann (1883), and other books for children, which had an enormous success and became very highly valued. “Toy-books” though they were, these little works created a revolution in book illustration; they were praised by John Ruskin, by Ernest Chesneau and Arsène Alexandre in France, by Richard Muther in Germany, and by other leading art critics throughout the world.In 1890 Greenaway was elected to the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, and in 1891, 1894, and 1898 she exhibited watercolour drawings, including illustrations for her books, at the gallery of the Fine Art Society (by which a representative selection was exhibited in 1902). From 1883 to 1897, with a break only in 1896, she issued a series of Kate Greenaway's Almanacs. Although she illustrated The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1889) and other works, the artist preferred to provide her own text. She had great personal charm but was extremely shy of public notice.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
