The golden age of illustration 1880-1920
- The term illustration is very problematic due to the fact it was originally used to document life opposed to it being considered as art in today's society. But never the less it is still a celebrated art form whether its used to document or create wonderful art pieces.
- The option being an illustrator did not exist early on. It was not considered a profession until later on but never the less people still practised the art form.
Illustration in books
- Books were illustrated way before the medieval period, some of the first examples of illustration can be seen in older books such as the bible but other than that and not in books cave paintings are a good example of people documenting life through illustration.
- The working and lower class could not read as well as the upper class meaning that a lot more illustrations were used so that reading well, was not always necessary.
- Illustrators were often employed by printing companies to illustrate books.
When was illustration seen as a trade
- Despite illustration being practised, it was not considered an actual trade or career until the mid 19th century.
Book illustration boom
- Between 1880-1920 is when books with illustrations boomed. There was a lot more demand for them. Resulting in a lot more books being massed produced.
- A big instigator of the boom of illustration and its popularity, especially in books what the fascination everyone had mid 19th century of the medieval times. There was a lot of medieval themed illustrations and images in books.
