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Lot Essay
E.J. Sullivan was one of the most important illustrators working in the 1890s, 1900s, and through into the 1920s. He grew up in Hastings, having been taught drawing by his father Michael Sullivan, an art teacher. He came to London to work for the new Daily Graphic, published for the first time in 1890. Subsequently, he worked on various magazines including the English Illustrated Magazine and The Pall Mall Budget, where he met Frances Louise Williams, whom he later married.
Sullivan illustrated upwards of 20 books, most notably Lavengro, Tom Brown's Schooldays and The Compleat Angler, as well as works for Tennyson. Of his later work, The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam of 1913 is the most impressive. He also wrote two books on illustration in the 1920s. His illustrations were much imitated, and Sullivan may be said to have helped to define the drawing style of the early 20th Century.
Apart from illustration, Sullivan was a watercolourist, etcher and teacher. He became RWS in 1928, RE in 1931 and was President of the Art Workers' Guild.
Sullivan illustrated upwards of 20 books, most notably Lavengro, Tom Brown's Schooldays and The Compleat Angler, as well as works for Tennyson. Of his later work, The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam of 1913 is the most impressive. He also wrote two books on illustration in the 1920s. His illustrations were much imitated, and Sullivan may be said to have helped to define the drawing style of the early 20th Century.
Apart from illustration, Sullivan was a watercolourist, etcher and teacher. He became RWS in 1928, RE in 1931 and was President of the Art Workers' Guild.