Arty Farty Friday ~ Edwin Austin Abbey

Born in Philadelphia, USA on 1 April 1852, Edwin ("Ned") Austin Abbey began as a wood engraver for Harper's magazine. His drawing skills were to be quickly acknowledged. He progressed to become a prolific illustrator in pen and ink, and in water colours; later, in the 1890s, he worked in oils. He worked with Harper's in the USA for around seven years, was then sent to England to undertake research for an edition of Robert Herrick's poetry. Abbey apparently fell in love with England's historical background and literature. He returned to the USA from time to time, visiting only, to complete certain commissions, the rest of his life was spent in Europe, mainly in England. In 1888 he married Gertrude Mead, a New York socialite, daughter of a wealthy merchant. In 1898 Abbey was made a member of the crème de la crème of Britain's art world: The Royal Academy.

Abbey's illustrations of scenes from Shakespearean plays, for which he is probably best known these days, revealed his flair for, and knowledge of, costume illustration, along with innate theatrical insight leading to him choose scenes and subjects well, and to place and light them dramatically. Influence of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's lush style is clear to see, endearing this artist to me on first sight of his work!

Abbey associated with several famous artists of his time, was a close friend of John Singer Sargent ( my blog post on Sargent is HERE). The two artists were commissioned to paint mural decoration for the Boston Public Library, they worked on these for some years in a large studio in England. In 1903 Abbey was invited to paint a scene from the coronation of King Edward VII - his painting now hangs in Buckingham Palace.

Edwin Austin Abbey died, aged 59, in 1911, leaving his last work incomplete - mural paintings for the Pennsylvania State Capitol.

A few examples of his paintings and drawings:

Please click on images for larger versions.

 Richard III Duke of Gloucester and the Lady Anne

 Detail from above painting

 King Lear - Cordelia's Farewell

 "Sir Galahad is now King of Sarras, and upon a hill he makes a Sacred Place and builds a Golden Tree."  From mural series, "The Quest and Achievement of The Holy Grail" (1895).

 The Penance of Eleanor, Duchess of Gloucester

 

From Shakespeare's Henry VI: Part II, act 2, scene 4. Eleanor, having vainly urged her husband, Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, the Lord Protector, to usurp the throne of England, has committed the treasonable offense of consulting sorcerers about the length of the king's life. She has been sentenced to three days' public penance walking barefoot through the streets of London. (See here.)

 Harvest Home

 Coronation of King Edward VII

ASTROLOGY

Concentrating mainly on indications relating to his artistic talents. Although there's little information available to shed light on the artist's personality, a page on Abbey at the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame website begins:

Edwin Austin Abbey was that rare union of “fun and purpose.” He was cherished by the many organizations which called him “fellow.” Those who called him “friend” included the most renowned artists, sculptors and authors of his day. But his artwork was his purpose. He illustrated with crisp pen lines, painted with shadowy, mysterious tones and he designed decorative and architecturally sound murals. Every endeavor of his career was totally absorbing of his energy but was executed with grace and humor. Howard Pyle described his contemporary as a “chipper, jocund little fellow, with a merry twinkle of his eyes and a laugh that meant business.”

Born 1 April 1852 in Philadelphia, Penn, USA. (Chart set for 12 noon - Moon and ascendant not as shown.)

His 12* Aries Sun indicates a bright, enthusiastic personality; the planets in later Aries straddle the Aries/Taurus cusp drawing in Venus-ruled Taurus' link to the arts, with Venus itself at 23 Taurus. Jupiter at 22 Scorpio is opposing Venus, or maybe better put, Venus is balancing Jupiter. Jupiter's excesses, in the wrong artistic hands could lead to less delightful artistry than we see in Abbey's work. The innate good taste of Venus balances Jupiter's need for excess and reduces it to the lushness we perceive in his oil paintings. If a passing reader would care to follow the link above to my post on the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherood , I recall that there was a Jupiter opposition in those charts too, Abbey's style does closely resemble theirs, as I've already noted.

Abbey's natal Moon could be in either late Leo or early Virgo....hands down I'd guess Leo. His gravitation to illustrating Shakespearean plays, and doing it so well indicates an inborn feel for drama = Leo. On the other hand.....Virgo Moon would represent the artist's obvious discipline and attention to detail.