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.

HENRY KEEN
   

INTRODUCTION

     As well as contributing to magazines such as the Golden Hind, Henry Keen (1899-1935) also illustrated a series of books for the Bodley Head in the late 1920s.

     The best known of these is his version of Oscar Wildes 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (1925), but here is a selection from three others.

     Richard Garnetts 'Twilight of the Gods' (1924) probably has the best work of the three both through sheer quantity (over 20 images plus head and tailpieces) and that it allowed Keen to indulge his sense of the the fantastic more fully. Sadly the 'classical' English of the text makes it pretty heavy going.

     The Webster plays 'Duchess of Malfi' and 'The White Devil' (1930) have a few nice pieces; while his illustrations to Voltaires 'Zadig and others' (1930), though perhaps the most readable of the books are more restrained again.

     Keen died of TB and is yet another talent whos biography and output remain enigmatic. Once again, anyone with information...

HENRY KEEN


A SELECTION OF

 ILLUSTRATIONS FROM:


'Twilight of the Gods'

(Bodly Head 1924)

'The Duchess of Malfi' &

'The White Devil'

(Bodley Head 1930)

'Zadig &  Other Romances'

(Bodley Head 1930)