Edmund Joseph Sullivan (1869-1933) British book illustrator |
Born in London, Sullivan studied under his father, the artist Michael Sullivan, in Hastings, Sussex. However, he decided to concentrate on the emerging field of graphic design and book illustration, which was flourishing at the end of the nineteenth century. For a time Sullivan worked as an illustrator on the Daily Graphic, but was fired for being too artistic and unconventional. He moved to the Pall Mall Magazine in 1893, where he began to work on illustrations to literature. By the end of the decade, his designs were in high demand. Sullivan produced some 50 etchings during the 1920s and The Brazier is considered amongst the best. Usually known as E. J. Sullivan, he was President of the Art Workers’ Guild (1931) and a member of the Council of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers. He taught book illustration at Goldsmiths’ School of Art. |
Sintram and His Companions
Illustrations for "Sintram and His Companions" by E. J. Sullivan (Meuthen, 1908)
A boy, pale as death, rushed into the hall
Sintram soon found himself alone with his strange companion
Our ancestors told truly of the Valkyries, he murmured
Gabrielle appeared, musing as she walked alone
Many a noble horse fell, wounded to death
Abruptly, old Rolf appeared
The Little Master threw the lock of Sintram’s hair up towards the clouds
The bleeding shepherd, with a cloven skull, fell down the precipice
Look here at yourself, young knight!
Folko slid down with the swiftness of an arrow
The Little Master ran, muttering, down a precipice
Wait a moment, he wants me to give him a soft lullaby
The blissful Weigand had fallen asleep like a tired child
We are going to make vows on the boar’s head
Do what you will, but I will not join you in your godless warfare
Worship or fly!
Once again, he began his unholy praises of Gabrielle’s loveliness
The last hour of the aged Knight was drawing near
The son knelt before his mother
This is the noble boy, Engeltram of Montfaucon
