The Strand Magazine : an illustrated monthly. Vol. 1, no. 3, March 1891 / edited by George Newnes.

Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Strand Magazine : an illustrated monthly. Vol. 1, no. 3, March 1891 / edited by George Newnes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    40/132 (page 246)
    consideration, a pretty and fanciful sur¬ rounding is by no means to be despised. Royal Academicians really do little in this branch of art. Though both Mr. Poynter and Mr. Sant have applied their brushes in this direction, and Sir John Millais has before now signified his willing¬ ness to accept a commission, it is presumed that R.A.’s prefer not to have their work confined to the narrow limits of a birthday card. An R.A. could ask a couple of hun¬ dred pounds for a de¬ sign, and get it. Mr. work, but their efforts have not been made public—save in the instance of the Princess Beatrice, whose B.rthday Book is well known. Cards de¬ signed by Royalty have passed only between members of the Royal Family. They are very simple and picturesque, flowers and effective landscapes with mountain scenery figuring pro¬ minently. It is indisputable that women excel in such designs. Theirs seems to be a light, airy, graceful, and almost fas¬ cinating touch ; there appears to be no effort—they seem only to play with the brush, though with delightful results. Amongst those ladies who are just now contributing excellent work might be mentioned the Baroness Marie Yon Beckendorf, a German lady, whose flowers are delicate and fanciful to a degree. Miss Bertha Maguire is also gifted in the way of flower-painting, whilst M iss Annie Simpson paints many an exquisite blossom combined with charming landscape. The illustrations we give show a page of what have now become ancient cards, and another of the very latest modern styles. Alma Tadema, when asked what he would charge to paint a pair of cards, replied— £6oo. Ordinary designs fetch from three to six guineas, though a distinctly original and novel idea, be it only in the shape of a score of splashes from the brush, is worth from ten to fifteen guineas. Both the Princess Louise and Princess Beatrice have done some really artistic r