Artist Retrospectives VII – Frank Papé

Today’s spotlight.

Book of Psalms, and would make a great D&D demon.

Frank Papé, 1878-1972, was an English artist. He was an art school graduate who went on to success as an illustrator.

An “Uncle Ray” illustration. Dr Seuss, right?

His career began with illustrating books for children.

Does this style remind you of anything? ICE Middle Earth, perhaps? Angus McBride did a lot of those.

But he broke through and also illustrated books for adults.

From Thais, by Anatole France. Looks like a woodcut.

He received regular commissions from publishers, and really branched out.

Also from Thais. Wouldn’t look out of place in early D&D. Classical Greek in my book.

Notably, he did a series of books with James Branch Cabell.

This book was The Big Time, back in the day. It really gives me the creeps!

Notice the Indian / Eastern atmosphere, as well as the other-worldly transparencies. (You might have to view on a large screen.)

Papé also formed a regular working relationship with Ray Coffman to illustrate the “Uncle Ray” series of newspaper columns, magazines and books for children.

Papé was the Art Director for Uncle Ray’s Magazine, and did illustrations. This issue from Nov 1951.

Looking at some samples of his work, you can see styles evoking everything from art nouveau, to eighteenth century wood engravings, to “Dr Seuss” cartoonish work, to Classical Greek art, to Russian folk art.

Art Nouveau, anyone?

Russian Folktales

I find this one really impressive. Gives me chills.

D&D scenario? Reminds me of Rackham.

Another sinister one. Makes me want to read the story.

The dynamism in this one really works.

Young artists-to-be growing up as far back as the twenties and thirties would’ve seen Papé’s work and stored the images away as influences on their future work. Can you suggest any more examples in which Papé’s influence might be seen? Rackham? McBride? Old-school D&D?

Grotesque.

Terror!

Inhuman.

How many stories could these pieces inspire? Frank Papé deserves to be remembered for his vision, and for those artists who gained by exposure to his work.