DECADENT ILLUSTRATORS

SERIES OVERVIEW:

     

    This series attempts to showcase material by artists whose work might be described as 'decadent' in its style or subject matter.
    It does not intend to give anything other than the briefest of biographical overviews (though references for such are given within each entry). It instead aims to present a short selection of illustrations  which are either typical of the artists work or  perhaps illustrate a text or theme that falls within the remit of the series.
    We welcome suggestions or contributions to this ongoing series.

ALAN ODLE
   

INTRODUCTION

     Alan Odle (1888-1948) is yet another artist whose biography seems elusive.  He married the author Dorothy Richardson in 1917 and worked quite prolifically, although his later work, while still satirical, seems more cartoonish.

    Certainly his best work appears to be found in the short lived magazine 'The Gypsy' which was the house magazine of the equally short lived Pomegranite Press.  'The Gypsy' managed only two issues (May 1915 and May 1916), the second issue being paper covered and stapled compared to the hard-backed sewn sections of the first issue. Whether this reflected of the fortunes of the press is unknown.

    It is certainly a pity that the magazine did not survive longer, as the contents of both issues are generally excellent. Arthur Symons, Henry Savage, Walter De La Mare, Edgar Jepson, J.D. Beresford and Arthur Machen (the latter contributing the first two parts of 'The Secret Glory') indicate its aesthetic and decadent leanings.

    Odle contributes a lot of illustrations of which the following are, in my opinion, the best. Needless to say, anyone with more information please get in touch...

ALAN ODLE


A SELECTION OF

 ILLUSTRATIONS FROM:


'The Gypsy'

Issue 1: May 1915

'The Gypsy'

Issue 2: May 1916