"His pictures, which seemed to me then [aged 13] to be the very music made visible, plunged me a few fathoms deeper into my delight. I have seldom coveted anything as I coveted that book." — C.S. Lewis
Before portraying Wagner's "Ring," Arthur Rackham (1867–1939) had become England's leading illustrator through his interpretations of fairy and fantastic books: Grimm's Fairy Tales, Rip van Winkle, Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, A Midsummer-Night's Dream. With his insight into elves, twisted oaks, and bearded heroes, Wagner was the logical step: with the "Ring," Rackham brought his talent for ethereal watercolor and line into new realms of adult mythology.
This edition reproduces, in full color, all 64 watercolor illustrations from Siegfried & The Twilight of the Gods (1911) and The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie (1912). The original English and American editions also contained black-and-white vignettes and tailpieces, a selection of which appear here: the original text, a dated English translation of the libretto, has been replaced by comprehensive descriptive captions and an introduction by James Spero.
Rackham poured all his mature fancy into the "Ring." The gnarled Nibelung Alberich sports with teasing Rhinemaidens, fiery Loge and lordly Wotan tussle with giants and serpents. An ecstatic Brünnhilde is finally consumed on Siegfried's funeral pyre in perhaps the most successful representation of this scene anywhere, either graphically or theatrically. Wagner's Teutonic forests and caves give Rackham free reign for his brooding, haunting nature backgrounds; characters, costumes, and all the tiny details are painted with such textual accuracy and empathy that today's opera companies who wish to return to staging the "Ring" in the traditional manner turn to Rackham's paintings for guidance.
The painstaking reproduction of these artworks brings Arthur Rackham's most heroic visions to the many collectors and admirers who cannot obtain the expensive out-of-print editions. With the aid of the clear captions, the Wagnerian cycle may be followed once again in its most time-honored and rich interpretation.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
FREE
Within U.S.A.
Book Description Paperback or Softback. Condition: New. Arthur Rackham (illustrator). Rackham's Color Illustrations for Wagner's "Ring" 0.59. Book. Seller Inventory # BBS-9780486237794
Book Description Condition: New. Arthur Rackham (illustrator). Seller Inventory # 443877-n
Book Description Condition: New. Arthur Rackham (illustrator). Brand New. Seller Inventory # 9780486237794
Book Description Condition: New. Arthur Rackham (illustrator). Brand New! Not Overstocks or Low Quality Book Club Editions! Direct From the Publisher! We're not a giant, faceless warehouse organization! We're a small town bookstore that loves books and loves it's customers! Buy from Lakeside Books!. Seller Inventory # OTF-S-9780486237794
Book Description paperback. Condition: New. Arthur Rackham (illustrator). . Seller Inventory # 52GZZZ01ZRHR_ns
Book Description Condition: New. Arthur Rackham (illustrator). Book is in NEW condition. 0.62. Seller Inventory # 0486237796-2-1
Book Description Condition: New. Arthur Rackham (illustrator). New! This book is in the same immaculate condition as when it was published 0.62. Seller Inventory # 353-0486237796-new
Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Arthur Rackham (illustrator). Paperback. By the time he created these images, Rackham was England's leading illustrator, famous throughout the world for his interpretations of fairy tales and myths. These illustrations from the original 1911 and 1912 editions, widely regarded as the greatest representations of Wagner's drama, constitute Rackham's masterworks. 64 full-page color images and 9 vignettes. By the time England's leading illustrator, Arthur Rackham, began his work on Wagner's "Ring" cycle, he was already famous throughout the world for his interpretations of fairy tales and myths. This edition features 64 fullpage colour illustrations and 9 vignettes from "Siegfried", "The Twilight of the Gods", "The Rhinegold", and "The Valkyrie". Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780486237794
Book Description Trade Paperback. Condition: New. Arthur Rackham (illustrator). By the time he created these images, Rackham was England's leading illustrator, famous throughout the world for his interpretations of fairy tales and myths. These illustrations from the original 1911 and 1912 editions, widely regarded as the greatest representations of Wagner's drama, constitute Rackham's masterworks. 64 full-page color images and 9 vignettes. This edition of Rackham's images, widely regarded as the greatest representations of Wagner's drama, comprises 64 full-page color illustrations and 9 vignettes from 'Siegfried, The Twilight of the Gods, The Rhinegold, 'and 'The Valkyrie.'. Seller Inventory # 20101117112008
Book Description PAP. Condition: New. Arthur Rackham (illustrator). New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # IB-9780486237794