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.
Ronald Balfour (1896–1941) illustrated only one major book in his career that being 'Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyám' (Persian: رباعیات عمر خیام) published by Constable in 1920.
Omar Khayyám (1048–1123), was a mathematician, astronomer and philosopher in eleventh century Persia but came to prominence in the English speaking world when it was translated by Edward Fitzgerald in 1859. It has remained almost continuously in print since.
This immensely popular book has been illustrated over 100 times, but these by Balfour (of whom I know nothing) are regarded as some of the most striking.
The book is now quite expensive, but a kind soul has posted a complete set of all the illustrations on flickr here.
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.
RONALD BALFOUR
INTRODUCTION
Ronald Balfour (1896–1941) illustrated only one major book in his career that being 'Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyám' (Persian: رباعیات عمر خیام) published by Constable in 1920.
Omar Khayyám (1048–1123), was a mathematician, astronomer and philosopher in eleventh century Persia but came to prominence in the English speaking world when it was translated by Edward Fitzgerald in 1859. It has remained almost continuously in print since.
This immensely popular book has been illustrated over 100 times, but these by Balfour (of whom I know nothing) are regarded as some of the most striking.
The book is now quite expensive, but a kind soul has posted a complete set of all the illustrations on flickr here.
RONALD BALFOUR
SOME ILLUSTRATIONS FROM
THE RUBAIYAT OF OMAR KHAYYAM
(CONSTABLE 1920)
SOME ILLUSTRATIONS FROM
THE RUBAIYAT OF OMAR KHAYYAM
(CONSTABLE 1920)
(Frontispiece)
