52 Weeks of Inspiring Illustrations, Week 39: Jessie M. King & William Morris’s “The Defence of Guenevere” (1904)

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Tuesday 19 March 2013
The illustrated title page of The defence of Guenevere, and other poems by William Morris; illustrated by Jessie M. King (St Andrews copy rPR5078.D4F04)
The illustrated title page of The defence of Guenevere, and other poems by William Morris; illustrated by Jessie M. King (St Andrews copy rPR5078.D4F04)

This week sees the anniversary of the birth of both William Morris and Jessie M King, so it seems appropriate to celebrate by devoting the latest Inspiring Illustrations blog post to our 1904 copy of The Defence of Guenevere and Other Poems, written by Morris and illustrated by King.

"Nor any brings me the sweet flowers that lie so thick in the gardens." An illustration by Jessie M. King from
“Nor any brings me the sweet flowers that lie so thick in the gardens.” An illustration by Jessie M. King from The defence of Guenevere, and other poems by William Morris; illustrated by Jessie M. King (St Andrews copy rPR5078.D4F04)
Front cover of
Front cover of The defence of Guenevere (St Andrews copy rPR5078.D4F04)

The Defence of Guenevere and Other Poems, written in 1858, was Morris’ first book and one of his best-known works. It is said to be the first book of Pre Raphaelite poetry to be published.

Jessie M. King was one of the most important Scottish illustrators of the 20th century and studied at the Glasgow School of Art. In 1885 Francis H. Newbery became the new director and headmaster of the School. An important figure in the Arts and Crafts movement in Scotland, Newbery believed in equal opportunities for women in art. He saw the importance of teaching practical skills and established a Decorative Arts department employing artist-craftsmen to teach crafts such as pottery, bookbinding, wood-carving, glass staining and needlework. This creative atmosphere became the centre of the uniquely Scottish form of the “Art Nouveau” movement that became recognised in Europe as the “Glasgow style.”

"And over it they lay with stone white hands claspt fast together."
“And over it they lay with stone white hands claspt fast together.” An illustration by Jessie M. King from The defence of Guenevere, and other poems by William Morris; illustrated by Jessie M. King (St Andrews copy rPR5078.D4F04)
Detail of two swallows by Jessie M. King from The defence of Guenevere (St Andrews copy
Detail of two swallows by Jessie M. King from The defence of Guenevere (St Andrews copy rPR5078.D4F04)

In 1899, while still a student, King was offered a part-time post as tutor in the department of Book Decoration and Design. She demonstrated the art of bookbinding, the use of ornamental lettering and illustration. It was during this time that her career as an illustrator took off.

"Rapunzel" by Jessie M. King from
“Rapunzel” by Jessie M. King from The defence of Guenevere, and other poems by William Morris; illustrated by Jessie M. King (St Andrews copy rPR5078.D4F04)

In 1904 Jessie received commissions for two books from John Lane. The more important of the two was to produce the cover design, 24 full-page illustrations and page decorations for William Morris’ The Defence of Guenevere and Other Poems.

"But stood turn'd sideways, listening."
“But stood turn’d sideways, listening.” An illustration by Jessie M. King from The defence of Guenevere, and other poems by William Morris; illustrated by Jessie M. King (St Andrews copy rPR5078.D4F04)
Detail of lilies
Detail of lilies by Jessie M. King from The defence of Guenevere (St Andrews copy rPR5078.D4F04)

The binding is in dark red cloth and on the front cover is a gilt-decorated Guenevere, radiant with a halo of stars, her arms outstretched (above left). The full-page illustrations contain many elements that would become associated with much of Jessie’s work.

The lettering was done in a style first developed for needlework designs by Jessie Rowat, who later became Newbery’s wife. This lettering was to become one of the many features of the ‘Glasgow Style’ and was based on lettering found on seventeenth-century tombstones.

"A great God's angel standing."
“A great God’s angel standing.” An illustration by Jessie M. King from The defence of Guenevere, and other poems by William Morris; illustrated by Jessie M. King (St Andrews copy rPR5078.D4F04)

Jessie’s exquisite line drawings had a dreamlike quality to them, sweeping lines and solid swathes of black reminiscent of the drawings of Aubrey Beardsley. Some areas were drawn entirely out of dots bringing the feeling of otherworldliness into her illustrations. Obsessed by medievalism and fairy tales she drew knights, fair maidens and angels clothed in fashions borrowed from the Middle Ages, the Far East or Celtic folklore. She incorporated ornate figures and enriched areas with intricate detail, combining various stylized motifs into her designs. Flowers, including the Glasgow Rose, swallows, leaves, stars and petals all suggest an awareness of the works of the Arts and Crafts, Pre Raphaelite, and the Art Nouveau movements.

"For Launcelot's red golden hair would play instead of sunlight on the painted wall."
“For Launcelot’s red golden hair would play instead of sunlight on the painted wall.” An illustration by Jessie M. King from The defence of Guenevere, and other poems by William Morris; illustrated by Jessie M. King (St Andrews copy rPR5078.D4F04)

The page decorations were charming – strings of roses and stars, swooping swallows and delicate lilies. These devices were used again and again in other aspects of Jessie’s works, as designs for her silverwork or as decorations on her ceramics or fabrics.

"Your dear head bow'd to the Gilliglower bed."
“Your dear head bow’d to the gilliflower bed.” An illustration by Jessie M. King from The defence of Guenevere, and other poems by William Morris; illustrated by Jessie M. King (St Andrews copy rPR5078.D4F04)

Other examples of Jessie M King’s illustrations that can be found in our collections include George Buchanan’s Jephtha, R.W. Emerson’s Friendship, and various editions of The Studio: an illustrated magazine of fine and applied art.

Catriona Foote

Reading Room Administrator

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9 thoughts on "52 Weeks of Inspiring Illustrations, Week 39: Jessie M. King & William Morris’s “The Defence of Guenevere” (1904)"

  • Millie Laboy
    Millie Laboy
    Wednesday 20 March 2013, 9.14pm

    Reblogged this on EticaProfesionalInformacion.

    Reply
    • Samuel Scott
      Samuel Scott
      Wednesday 24 April 2013, 9.34am

      I live in Edinburgh. No problem about coming up to St Andrews. I come over to Fife most weeks. Get in touch

      Reply
      • St Andrews Special Collections
        St Andrews Special Collections
        Wednesday 24 April 2013, 10.41am

        you can contact me directly on [email protected]

        Reply
  • 52 Weeks of Inspiring Illustrations, Week 39: Jessie M. King & William Morris's "The Defence of Guenevere" (1904) | Special Collections Librarianship | Scoop.it
    Monday 1 April 2013, 4.25pm

    [...] This week sees the anniversary of the birth of both William Morris and Jessie M King, so it seems appropriate to celebrate by devoting the latest Inspiring Illustrations blog post to our 1904 copy ...  [...]

    Reply
  • Samuel Scott
    Samuel Scott
    Tuesday 23 April 2013, 4.13pm

    I have just become the owner of a folio of Jessie M king pencil sketches 16 in all . One with the title Rapunzel Would you have an interest in cataloging this collection.I think some of them may be the sketches for The Defence of Guenevere

    Reply
    • St Andrews Special Collections
      St Andrews Special Collections
      Tuesday 23 April 2013, 5.23pm

      Hi Samuel, I don't know about cataloging them, but we'd certainly be interested in seeing them, do you live near St Andrews?

      Reply
  • Morris' Guenevere | Multimediated Medievalisms: Arthurian AfterlivesMultimediated Medievalisms: Arthurian Afterlives
    Wednesday 26 February 2014, 8.16am

    […] to get more information, all the links proved to be invalid. After searching Google, I found a WordPress blog operated by the University of St Andrews (similar to Bard blog) with some King illustrations and a […]

    Reply
  • dearemilycaulfield
    dearemilycaulfield
    Thursday 15 May 2014, 9.24pm

    Reblogged this on Food Your Feelings.

    Reply
  • adadbell
    adadbell
    Thursday 7 May 2015, 6.37pm

    Reblogged this on Ada D Bell.

    Reply

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