Historical illustrations and cartoons

I like looking at the work of illustrators from time to time, especially the work of some of those recognised as experts in their field. I've recently come across a couple of sites which provide a lot of images from and links to the work of some of the best in illustration. These are

• the website run by Chris Beetles and
• the blog 100 years of Illustration and Design developed by Paul Giambarba.

The Chris Beetles Art Gallery in Ryder Street, St James, London holds an Annual Illustrators Exhibition between November and January which the gallery indicates is recognised as being the largest of its kind in the world for cartoon and illustration collectors. Examples of the work of very many illustrators and cartoonists are exhibited on the website - which is a bit of a masterclass in the different types of drawing over the decades with everything from Arthur Rackham and Mabel Lucie Attwell (echoes of my childhood!!!) to Dan Dare!

The second site is a blog called 100 years of Illustration and Design - which has a much more american feel to it - and includes links to NC Wyeth, Norman Rockwell and Maxfield Parrish.

Technorati tags: drawing , illustration