Walter Crane
Walter Crane (1845-1915) was a notable English artist and illustrator, best known for his contributions to children's literature and decorative arts. Born in Liverpool, England, he began his artistic journey with a formal apprenticeship in wood-engraving, which laid the foundation for his prolific career. Crane's illustrations gained prominence in the 1860s, particularly through his work with London publishers, leading to a significant partnership with woodblock printer Edmund Evans that would define his style and impact in children's book illustration.
Crane was also instrumental in the Arts and Crafts movement, advocating for the importance of decorative art and creating opportunities for artists through organizations like the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society. He was deeply engaged in social issues, contributing illustrations for labor movements, reflecting his commitment to socialist ideals. Throughout his career, he experimented with various materials and showcased his work in major exhibitions, garnering accolades for both his artistic achievements and educational writings on art. Despite facing criticism for certain aspects of his work, Crane's illustrated books became best sellers and continue to be cherished for their imaginative and aesthetic qualities. His legacy endures through his innovative contributions to art and design, as well as his influence on the educational practices in art.
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Subject Terms
Walter Crane
Illustrator
- Born: August 15, 1845
- Birthplace: Liverpool, England
- Died: March 15, 1915
- Place of death: London, England
Biography
Walter Crane was born on August 15, 1845, in Liverpool, England, to artist Thomas Crane and Marie Kearsley Crane. Several months after his birth, the family settled in Devonshire to ease his Thomas’s health problems. Briefly attending a boys’ school, Walter then studied art at home with his father, who envisioned Crane becoming a professional artist.
In January 1859, Crane began an apprenticeship with William James Linton, learning wood-engraving methods. After his father’s death that year, Crane continued his apprenticeship until 1862. That year, the Royal Academy displayed one of Crane’s paintings. He improved his illustrating techniques, taking night classes at the Heatherly School of Fine Art.
Aware of business opportunities for artists, Crane focused on selling illustrations to pay his family’s expenses and gain acclaim for his talent. Commissioned by London publishers, Crane started to illustrate book and periodical texts in 1862. By 1865 London woodblock printer Edmund Evans hired Crane to work as an illustrator for children’s books, initiating a decade-long affiliation.
Crane married Mary Frances Andrews on September 6, 1871, and traveled with her for almost two years in Italy. They had one daughter, two sons, and two infants who died prematurely. Crane’s London homes nurtured his creativity and provided him a forum to socialize with his patrons and artists. Crane expanded his artistic expressions to new materials, including plaster, glass, and cloth. He focused on illustrating literary works and creating art for decoration, including wallpapers, tapestries, and ceramics. He displayed his work at Dudley Gallery in London in exhibitions staged from 1866 to 1882 and at London’s Grosvenor Gallery and U.S. exhibitions in major museums during an 1891-1892 tour. Crane also created mosaics and friezes for buildings.
In addition to illustrating texts, Crane penned books discussing the history and significance of decorative art and educational works describing artistic techniques. He criticized commercializing art and industrialization’s detrimental impact on culture. Crane was an initial Art Workers’ Guild member when that organization was established in 1884. Four years later, he formed the Arts and Crafts Exhibition Society to provide decorative artists opportunities to showcase their work. He twice served as that society’s president. Crane also belonged to several socialist organizations, creating illustrations for labor and union purposes.
In 1893 he began a three-year term directing design at the Manchester School of Art in England. Next, he served as art director at Reading College, also in England, from 1896 to 1898. Crane then was briefly principal at the Royal College of Art in South Kensington through 1899. Three months after his wife committed suicide, Crane died on March 14, 1915, at Horsham Cottage Hospital in Sussex, England.
Crane was frustrated when critics dismissed his landscapes and portraits and focused instead on his children’s literature illustrations. Nevertheless, readers enthusiastically bought Crane’s books, which became best sellers, and educators utilized his nonfiction books. At exhibitions, Crane received gold medals for his paintings and tile work, and prestigious art societies selected Crane for membership.