Comments on: Cruikshank At The Tower Of London https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/10/01/cruikshank-at-the-tower-of-london-ii/ In the midst of life I woke to find myself living in an old house beside Brick Lane in the East End of London Wed, 02 Oct 2024 01:20:49 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Bill https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/10/01/cruikshank-at-the-tower-of-london-ii/#comment-1629531 Wed, 02 Oct 2024 01:20:49 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=201194#comment-1629531 * shudder*

Many years ago I read the account of a counterfeiter’s execution by flaying. In the Tower. Counterfeiting was taken very, very seriously in remote days.

Some years later, I read a report of how a large piece of white leather, stretched over an ancient door in time immemorial, was taken down for medical examination. In the Tower. To see just exactly what it was.

EW!

The fall of Nightgall seems very Gorey.

Mauger sharpening his ax has hints of Redon, not that there is anything sinister in Redon. Mauger’s face just reminds me of some fantom Redon could have created. To me, at any rate.

Nightgall dragging Cecily down the stairs (poor girl) reminds me of Alfred Kubin, a real nutter of the early 20th century. I advise anyone and everyone to avail himself/herself of the pleasure of gazing at Kubin’s bizarre fantasies.

Who was Nightgall, by the way? So charmless, as was Mauger.

EW!

]]> By: Lynne Perrella https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/10/01/cruikshank-at-the-tower-of-london-ii/#comment-1629438 Tue, 01 Oct 2024 13:46:21 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=201194#comment-1629438 I have spent quite a lot of time, just now, looking through these magnificent atmospheric illustrations. I loved scrolling up and down, comparing the depictions of characters, surroundings, architecture, birds (!?), brooding skies, costumes, etc. ( Your astute remark about comparisons to Edward Gorey are spot on — or vice versa? ) I revere the traditions of great illustrators, and have always found it dismal when people make distinctions between “art” and “illustration”. To me, it is a needless debate. We live in the Berkshires, near the Rockwell Museum where they often feature the work of the great “legacy” illustrators — Howard Pyle, NC Wyeth, Maxfield Parrish, many others. When I leave these exhibits, my mind spins thinking of countless young readers who have early encounters with great novels and magnificent illustrations. Often, we spend our whole lives connecting the literature with the images. For me, Fritz Eichenberg’s illustrations for “Wuthering Heights” is a perfect example. When I think of turbulent mystery on-the-moors, Eichenberg takes me THERE. And now this
fantastic series by Cruikshank about The Tower — He has become our guide, our wizened expert, and he controls the narrative. Amazing!

I loved this post — Thank you, GA!

]]> By: Jo Nightingale https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/10/01/cruikshank-at-the-tower-of-london-ii/#comment-1629432 Tue, 01 Oct 2024 13:02:41 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=201194#comment-1629432 As previously, I can’t help wondering if I might be related to Lawrence Nightgall! Was so glad to be made aware of this, and now have my own copy of the book.

]]> By: Mark https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/10/01/cruikshank-at-the-tower-of-london-ii/#comment-1629410 Tue, 01 Oct 2024 10:22:08 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=201194#comment-1629410 Savagely beautiful illustrations.
What a time to be of noble birth.
Don’t mess with the King/Queen.
Excellent storytelling.
That place gives me the creeps.
I wonder, but doubt if the execution shed of world war 1 spies is still there. Chilling stuff.

]]> By: Mathilde Grange https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/10/01/cruikshank-at-the-tower-of-london-ii/#comment-1629391 Tue, 01 Oct 2024 08:29:50 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=201194#comment-1629391 Fantastic illustrations, sad, poignant, moving…

]]> By: Teresa Chatterton https://spitalfieldslife.com/2024/10/01/cruikshank-at-the-tower-of-london-ii/#comment-1629368 Tue, 01 Oct 2024 06:07:12 +0000 https://spitalfieldslife.com/?p=201194#comment-1629368 Wonderful post today about wonderful illustrations. Have you read ‘The Fraud’ by Zadie Smith? Amongst other things, it’s a fictional account of the life of Ainsworth. Cruikshank is mentioned and many parts are very funny.

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