Edwin Austin Abbey

American, 1852 - 1911

Edwin Austin Abbey was an American muralist, illustrator, and painter. He flourished at the beginning of what is now referred to as the "golden age" of illustration, and is best known for his drawings and paintings of Shakespearean and Victorian subjects, as well as for his painting of Edward VII's coronation. His most famous set of murals, The Quest and Achievement of the Holy Grail, adorns the Boston Public Library.

Abbey was born in Philadelphia in 1852. He studied art at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts under Christian Schuessele. Abbey began as an illustrator, producing numerous illustrations and sketches for such magazines as Harper's Weekly (1871–1874) and Scribner's Magazine. His illustrations began appearing in Harper's Weekly at an early age: before Abbey was twenty years old. He moved to New York City in 1871. His illustrations were strongly influenced by French and German black and white art.

He also illustrated several best-selling books, including Christmas Stories by Charles Dickens (1875), Selections from the Poetry of Robert Herrick (1882), and She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith (1887). Abbey also illustrated a four-volume set of The Comedies of Shakespeare for Harper & Brothers in 1896.

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Study for Louis Comfort Tiffany’s center window for ‘Children’s Window’ , St. Peter’s Church, Morristown, NJ

Study for Louis Comfort Tiffany’s center window for ‘Children’s Window’ , St. Peter’s Church, Morristown, NJ (1991)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study for Miles Standish’s Challenge

Study for Miles Standish’s Challenge (1969)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study for Science Discovering the Treasures of the Earth.

Study for Science Discovering the Treasures of the Earth. (1969)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study for the figure of 12 noon in ‘The Hours’ ceiling mural, House Chamber, Pennsylvania State Capitol at Harrisburg

Study for the figure of 12 noon in ‘The Hours’ ceiling mural, House Chamber, Pennsylvania State Capitol at Harrisburg (1980)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study for the figure of 4 am in ‘The Hours’ ceiling mural, House Chamber, Pennsylvania State Capitol at Harrisburg

Study for the figure of 4 am in ‘The Hours’ ceiling mural, House Chamber, Pennsylvania State Capitol at Harrisburg

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study for ‘The Frenzy, and what came of it’ – [comment on riots and strikes in Pittsburgh and Chicago]

Study for ‘The Frenzy, and what came of it’ – [comment on riots and strikes in Pittsburgh and Chicago]

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study for the Head of Hamlet, for The Play Scene, in Hamlet

Study for the Head of Hamlet, for The Play Scene, in Hamlet

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study for the Head of Ophelia, in The Play Scene, in Hamlet

Study for the Head of Ophelia, in The Play Scene, in Hamlet

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study for ‘The Meeting in the Railway Station,’ Chapter 7 of Castle in Spain

Study for ‘The Meeting in the Railway Station,’ Chapter 7 of Castle in Spain

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study for the Queen, from The Play Scene, Hamlet, act 3, scene 2

Study for the Queen, from The Play Scene, Hamlet, act 3, scene 2

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study for the reclining figure of Hamlet, from The Play Scene, Hamlet, act 3, scene 2

Study for the reclining figure of Hamlet, from The Play Scene, Hamlet, act 3, scene 2 (1993)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study for ‘The Reconciliation,’ one of a series of paintings executed for the Royal Exchange, London, 1896

Study for ‘The Reconciliation,’ one of a series of paintings executed for the Royal Exchange, London, 1896 (1983)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study for ‘The Scarlet Letter’

Study for ‘The Scarlet Letter’ (1981)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study for The Spirit of Light

Study for The Spirit of Light

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study for Twelfth Night

Study for Twelfth Night (1997)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study for ‘Wandering Minstrel’ (oil painting)

Study for ‘Wandering Minstrel’ (oil painting) (1986)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study for ‘Washington’s Headquarters at Newburgh, New York’

Study for ‘Washington’s Headquarters at Newburgh, New York’

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study for Science

Study for Science

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study of a robed figure, crying, for The Quest of the Holy Grail mural series at Boston Public Library

Study of a robed figure, crying, for The Quest of the Holy Grail mural series at Boston Public Library (1978)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study of a robed figure, for The Quest of the Holy Grail mural series at Boston Public Library

Study of a robed figure, for The Quest of the Holy Grail mural series at Boston Public Library (1965)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study of a Seated Indian, Figure study for Penn’s Treaty with the Indians, mural in the House chamber at the state capitol of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg

Study of a Seated Indian, Figure study for Penn’s Treaty with the Indians, mural in the House chamber at the state capitol of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study of a tree and field

Study of a tree and field

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study of a tree trunk

Study of a tree trunk (1991)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study of a woman in bonnet, leaning over

Study of a woman in bonnet, leaning over (1982)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study of a woman in cloak and hat

Study of a woman in cloak and hat (1994)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study of a young man’s face, in profile (1986)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study of a tree

Study of a tree (1988)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study of draped head of ‘A Mary for Three Marys at The Tomb’

Study of draped head of ‘A Mary for Three Marys at The Tomb’ (2001)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study of seated women (Mrs. Abbey)

Study of seated women (Mrs. Abbey) (1985)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

Study of two Indians for ‘Penn’s Treaty,’ mural at the state capitol building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Study of two Indians for ‘Penn’s Treaty,’ mural at the state capitol building in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (1981)

Edwin Austin Abbey (American, 1852 - 1911)

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