|
Evelyn Paul Collection
Throughout this page you will have the opportunity to
consider more than 70 fabulous vintage images from
Evelyn Paul's contributions to Stories from Dante,
The Romance of Tristram of Lyones and La beale Isoude, Dante's
La Vita Nuova, Aucassin & Nicolete and
Clair de Lune and Other Troubadour Romances.
We have developed a range of
Giftware that includes images
reproduced from the 1st Edition plates in our collection
to ensure the most accurate form, line and colour possible. We have utilised a high definition capture and reproduction
technique for the
images - in contrast to the low definition representation necessary for this
website. The illustrations
are available as cards, infants' clothing, T-shirts
and unmatted, matted or framed prints (8x6", 10x8", 12x10", 15x10" and
30 x 20" images sizes).
Pricing starts at US$4 for single Gift Cards (US$18 for select packs of 6) and 10 x 8" prints
(double-matted and framed) begin at US$60. Further details on those
reproduction images are available at the
Giftware
section of this
site.
Should you wish to discuss an order, please contact us at
ThePeople@SpiritoftheAges.com referencing your request with
the Stock
Code of the plate, or plates in question and a brief description (and rest assured, we do accept payment through
PayPal or Direct Bank
Deposit).
In the meantime, enjoy browsing our selection of
genuine vintage and antique plates.
The Art of Evelyn Paul
Evelyn Paul (1870-1945)
was best known for her work as an illuminator. She also contributed
illustrations - accompanying her illumination work -
influences by a variety of
styles including Gothic Revival, Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts. Significantly, the Pre-Raphaelite artist, Dante Gabriel
Rossetti, has been identified as one of
Paul's major influences. Her most famous work appeared in titles including
Stories from Dante, The Romance
of Tristram
of Lyones and La beale Isoude, Dante's La Vita Nuova, Aucassin &
Nicolete and Clair de Lune and Other Troubadour
Romances.
Stories from Dante (1913)
|
%20cover.jpg) |
A rare copy of Stories from
Dante published by George G Harrap & Company in 1911 - an
edition that was printed by Turnbull & Spears in the Scottish city
of Edinburgh.
This copy shows the original
decoratively gilt and black stamped suede finish cover.
|
16 colour images with
accompanying descriptive text
|
 |
 |
|
Beatrice
(by Dante Gabriel Rossetti)
Provenance: An American Collector
Code: EP SD 1 |
Dante in the Streets
of Florence
Provenance: An American Collector
Code: EP SD 2 |
The Salutation of
Beatrice
Provenance: An American Collector
Code: EP SD 3 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The Entrance to Hell
Provenance: An American Collector
Code: EP SD 4 |
The Seventh Circle
Provenance: An American Collector
Code: EP SD 5 |
Virgil in Rome
Provenance: An American Collector
Code: EP SD 6 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The Court of Frederick II
Provenance: An American Collector
Code: EP SD 7 |
The Carroccio
Provenance: An American Collector
Code: EP SD 8 |
Attack on the Donati
by Guido Cavalcanti
Provenance: An American Collector
Code: EP SD 9 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The Meeting in Paradise
Provenance: An American Collector
Code: EP SD 10 |
Sordello's Tribute
to the dead Eglamor
Provenance: An American Collector
Code: EP SD 11 |
Giotto the Painter
Provenance: An American Collector
Code: EP SD 12 |
 |
 |
 |
|
The Heaven of Venus
Provenance: An American Collector
Code: EP SD 13 |
The Battle of
Roncesvalles
Provenance: An American Collector
Code: EP SD 14 |
Dominic and the
Moorish Bandits
Provenance: An American Collector
Code: EP SD 15 |
 |
|
St Francis of Assisi tending
Lepers
Provenance: An American Collector
Code: EP SD 16 |
The
Romance of Tristram of Lyones and La beale Isoude (1913)
|
 |
A rare copy of The Romance of
Tristram of Lyones and La Beale Isoude produced by George G Harrap & Company
Limited in 1913 - an edition that was printed at the Camperfield
Press in the English town of Saint Albans.
This copy shows the original
decorative Evelyn Paul design to the cover inspired by illuminated
Celtic manuscripts from the early Medieval period, such as The
Book of Kells. Paul draws from Celtic illuminations for
inspiration through the tale and in doing so, provides a visual
feast.
|
|
|
Evelyn Paul's illumination - in
the early medieval Celtic style - for the title page of The
Romance of Tristram of Lyones and La beale Isoude.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
Evelyn Paul's illumination of the
introduction to the tale.
The introduction reads as follows:
Here beginneth the Romance of
Sir Tristram de Lyones and La beale Isoude
Lordys that be in mirth and
play
Merry and blithe as summer's
day
Leave and listen while I sing
'Tis nought of elf or færy
Nor eke of bird upon the spray
But most of magic love lonying.
|
|
.jpg) |
One of Paul's highly ornamented
monotone illustration to the tale - this introducing the element
related to the Quest for the Holy Grail.
The text reads as follows:
They prayed to Christ with much fervour
Their inward foes to Quell:
Sans fear they rode in high
ardour
Good issue to compel.
Glory to Holy Trinity
That be of most avail!
Honour to Heaven's sweet Ladye
That prays for us, Salin Fayle
To Joseph, Hight Arimathie,
And to the Holy Greal!
|
.jpg) |
.jpg) |
|
|
|
Two of the numerous marginal
illustrations designed by Paul to accompany this tale |
The Romance of Tristram of Lyones and La beale
Isoude - as illustrated by Evelyn Paul - draws on the Celtic French
tradition for this tale of
tragically mismatched love. The earliest example
of the tale may be found in the 12th Century work of the French poets Thomas
of Britain
and Béroul. Later version of the tale were largely based on the
13th Century work, Prose Tristram. Elements of both influences are
reflect
in the work illustrated by Paul, including the portions of the tale
establishing Tristram as one of King Arthur's knights that are questing for
the Holy Grail - an element drawn from Prose Tristram.
13 colour images available
|
Tristram and Isoude
depicted within an
elaborate
illuminated frame |
Sir Murrogh and Sir
Tristram |
Sir Tramtrist and Sir Palomides |
|
|
La beale Isoude and
Sir Tristram |
Sir Tristram and La
beale Isoude
in the woodland |
Sir Tristram kneeled before La beale Isoude |
|
|
Sir Tristram and the
harp |
La beale Isoude,
Dame Brangwene
and Sir Tristram |
Sir Tristram smitten
down by a
fiery beam |
|
|
Sir Tristram
followed no path |
La beale Isoude
weeping and mourning |
Sir Tristram lies
mortally wounded
by King Mark |
|
|
Sir Tristram and La
beale Isoude lie dead |
|
|
|
La
Vita Nuova (1916)
|
.jpg) |
A rare copy of La Vita Nuova
produced by George Harrap & Co. (London) in 1916.
This copy shows the
original decorative Evelyn Paul design to the cover inspired by
polychromatic Medieval manuscripts.
Translated by Dante Gabriel
Rossetti, this edition includes illustrations and exquisite
decorations in the style of Medieval illuminated manuscripts by Evelyn Paul.
|
|
|
Evelyn Paul's illumination of the
introduction to La Vita Nuova is presented in a style
reminiscent of Medieval illuminated manuscripts.
The introduction reads as follows:
In that part of the book of my
memory before the which is little that can be read, there is a
rubric, saying, Incipit vita nova. Here beginneth the
New Life.
Under such rubric I find
written many things; among the the words which I propose to copy
into this little book; if not all of them, at the least their
substance.
|
 |
|
La
Vita Nuova - translated as The New Life in English - is
one of the works composed by the great Florentine poet known as Dante
Alighieri
(1265-1321). It tells the story of Dante's own unrequited love for Bice di Folco Portinari (the Beatrice of La Vita Nuova) - a
woman who
captured Dante's heart while she was 9 and he was 12, died at the
age of 25 and was to be, even posthumously, Dante's greatest inspiration.
Although Dante, himself, was married to Gemma di Manetto Donati in a union arranged by their respective families,
Beatrice was the love
of his life
- after her death, Dante withdrew into intense study and poetic
composition. His other works include: Commedia (The Divine
Comedy);
Convivio (The Banquet); and De volgari eloquentia (On
the Eloquence of Vernacular). Dante epitomised the Renaissance scholar -
quite apart from his poetic fame, which is such that he is known as il
Sommo Poeta (the Supreme Poet) - he also held qualifications in
medicine
and pharmacy and was a prominent politician who ended his life in exile from
his native Florence.
This
version of La Vita Nuova is based on a translation provided by Dante
Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882). Rossetti, like his poetic namesake, was
an
individual of many talents, being a poet, illustrator, painter and
translator. Such talents supported his intuitive artistic interests that
contributed to him becoming among the central artists associated with the
Pre-Raphaelite movement.
16 colour images available
|
 |
Code: LVN EP 2 |
 |
|
|
The tale is exquisitely revealed as Evelyn
Paul takes us through her illustrative interpretation of La Vita Nuova |
|
Evelyn Paul displays her own Art Nouveau and Pre-Raphaelite
influences through the images of La Vita Nuova |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Evelyn Paul's images are presented both
unadorned and surrounded by stylistically complementary marginal decoration |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
The architectural features apparent in both
the illustrations and marginal decorations would have also been influenced by
the Gothic Revival |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Influences from artwork arising from the early
Italian Renaissance are also apparent - a fitting inclusion for a tale
written by a Floretine poet in the late 13th
Century |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Evelyn Paul's gorgeous final image of Beatrice |
Aucassin & Nicolete (1917)
|
 |
A rare copy of Aucassin &
Nicolete produced by George Harrap & Co. (London) in 1917.
This copy shows the
original leather binding with exquisite Art Nouveau influences,
including reinforcing metal studs and a bas-relief illustration
inset between blind stamped title lettering.
Translated by Michael
West, this edition includes illustrations by Main R Bocher, music
score by Horace Mansion and profuse decorations by Evelyn Paul.
Main R Bocher (1891-1977) is
most famous for his fashion design. He remained in Paris after
serving with the armed forces during World War I and later became
editor of French Vogue. In 1930, he established the
Mainbocher salon and his simple, subtle couture designs continued to
influence modern fashion for the best part of the following half
century. Mainbocher's creations graced Wallis Warfield Simpson at
her marriage to the Duke of Windsor.
|
|
|
|
 |
Evelyn Paul's illumination of
West's introduction prepares the reader for the tale in the most
exquisite fashion.
West
introduces the chantefable thus:
This is of the love of
Aucassin and Nicolete.
It is the fairest story that
was ever told.
It was made in French
language, but I have set it into English because it is so sweet
and because it telleth of Love - for God loveth them that Love
each other.
|
|
C'est d'Aucasin et de Nicolete
Illumination by Evelyn Paul |
|
|
|
Aucassin & Nicolete represents the sole surviving example of a
chantefable - a sung story - from what was once a popular literary
genre.
The
major characters of the tale are: Garin, Count of Beaucaire; his son,
Aucassin; and Nicolete, a Saracen slave girl.
From the
chanson de geste, the author borrows the themes of Christian
knighthood and feudal warfare and combines themes from the courtly
romance
traditions such as the well known plot device of star-crossed love between a
young Christian and Saracen. The tale establishes the
desperate desire for Aucassin and Nicolete to marry, only for their wishes to be undermined by
the determination of Garin who forbids their
union and imprisons the lovers.
In time, both escape and experience a series of romantic and farcical
adventures before Nicolete is revealed to
be a Saracen princess of the
noblest ancestry and the tale is resolved.
Some
critics have characterised the story as something of a satire on epic,
romance or saint's life genres, but often the tale seems interested only
in
comedy for comedy's sake - as a pleasing entertainment for those who read
the story or who may see it performed. The verse portions - which
were meant
to be sung - may be considered more skillfully constructed than the prose
sections, but it remains a delightful distraction.
13 colour images available
 |
 |
 |
|
The illustrations
contributed by Bocher display an unmistakable combination of Couture and
Art Nouveau influences
Bocher's images are framed
beautifully by marginal decoration provided by Evelyn Paul |
Clair
de Lune and Other Troubadour Romances (1921)
|
 |
A rare copy of Clair de Lune
and Other Troubadour Romances produced by George G Harrap & Co.
(London) in 1921.
This copy shows the original
decoratively gilt-stamped brown cloth cover.
Translated by Michael
West, this edition includes illustrations and extensive marginal
decoration by Evelyn Paul and music by Alfred Mereer.
|
|
 |
|
 |
Evelyn Paul's illumination for the
title page, showing the tales to include: "Lady Linette";
"Clair de Lune"; "Our Lady of the Buttercups"; "The Romance of
Little Peter"; "Cerise"; "Sir Hugh"' ; "The Quest of the Saint Graal";
"The Lonely Isle"; "Lilith"; "The Six Saints of Healing"; "Belle
Alise"; and "Lai de Lisette". |
|
Elaborately illuminated title
page to
Clair de Lune and Other
Troubadour Romances
by Evelyn Paul |
|
|
|
 |
West's translation - as
illuminated by Paul - reads as follows:
This is a story of the Love of
God.
The Quest of the Saint Graal
This is the story of Sir
Renand and his lady Yvain which was told me by Brother Peter as
we were polishing the cups in the vestment room of the House of
our Lady of the Seven Joys.
For it happened long ago,
Where nor when no man doth
know.
In this land there dwelt a
night
True of heart, of armour
bright.
Fair of mien, and great of
main.
And a lady, sweet Yvain.
Trettis, fettis, debonair.
Maiden of the Golden Hair.
Help me. Blessed Madeleine.
So to tell this tale again
Well and fair
|
 |
West's translation - as
illuminated by Paul - reads as follows:
Brother Peter told this. He
serves the sick in our monastery.
The Six Saints of Healing
He said "Have you ever heared
the rhyme of the Saints Guerisseurs. My mother used to sing it
over me when I was ill. It is very beautiful.
Il y a six Saints Guerisseurs.
Saint Houarniaale pour le Peur,
Hubert pour morsures de chiens,
Pour maux detête Saint
Livertin,
Saint Meen pour la folie,
Mamert pour melancholie.
Mais Saint. La bin nous
inyouquons
Pour toute éspèce
d'afflictions.
|
|
Evelyn Paul's illuminated
introduction to
the tale of "The Quest of the
Saint Graal" |
|
Evelyn Paul's illuminated
introduction to
the tale of "The Six Saints of
Healing" |
|
16 colour images available
| .jpg)
