The Illustration of Robinson Crusoe, 1719-1920

by Blewett, David

• ISBN13: 9780901072672
• ISBN10: 0901072672
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1996-06-13
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Defoe's Robinson Crusoe has exerted a powerful fascination of generations of readers since its publication in 1719. And not only readers, but artists too; few works have ever been published in so many illustrated editions. In this analysis of over 100 representative illustrations Blewett shows both how Crusoe as a figure in the Western imagination and Robinson Crusoe as a text have been viewed and interpreted by illustrators and engravers not only in the English speaking world byt in Europe as well. His unique study is an invaluable work not only for fans of Defoe's most famous work, but for everyone interested in the history of book illustration.

Author Biography

David Blewett is Professor of English at McMaster University.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	p. 9
Introduction. Robinson Crusoe and Book Illustration	p. 11
The Early Development of Robinson Crusoe as an Illustrated Book: England and France	p. 25
The English Rediscovery of Defoe: Stothard	p. 45
Robinson Crusoe as Theatre and as Dream: Cruikshank and Grandville	p. 65
Robinson Crusoe at Mid-century: Phiz, Watson, Griset	p. 87
Imperial Crusoe: Fesquet, Berkeley, Paget	p. 123
Romantic Realism: Yeats, the Brocks, the Rheads, Wyeth	p. 147
Epilogue: The Twentieth Century: Introspective illustration	p. 171
Bibliography	p. 177
Appendix A: Illustrated Editions of Robinson Crusoe	p. 191
Appendix B: Independent Illustrations of Robinson Crusoe	p. 227
Index	p. 229
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