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Dante and Virgil with three-headed monster, 1951. Creator: Shirley Markham
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Dante and Virgil with three-headed monster, 1951. Creator: Shirley Markham
Dante and Virgil with three-headed monster, 1951. Design for illustration to Dantes " Divine Comedy". Shirley Markham (1931-1999) studied Graphic Design and Illustration at Central School of Art in London from 1950-1952. The writer, artist, poet, and illustrator Mervyn Peake (1911-1968) was one of her tutors, and her style of drawing was also influenced by other British illustrators such as Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake and Edward Bawden. Markham spent time in the Dolomite Mountains in Italy, and also visited Rome, sketching classical buildings. After graduating from Central, she worked as a graphic designer, producing book illustrations, cartoons for comics, menus and programmes. She gave up her promising career however when she got married in 1957. Middle-class women at that time were expected to devote their energies to bringing up children and running the home, and despite her obvious talent, she lacked the confidence to return to illustration. Her portfolio remained in the family attic for many years, but now her work is published here for the first time
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Media ID 18265941
© Shirley Markham Collection / Heritage-Images
1950s Aligheri Alighieri Cerberus Dante Dante Aligheri Dante Alighieri Divina Commedia Divine Comedy Fifties Hell Markham Monster Mythological Publius Vergillus Maro Shirley Shirley Jane Shirley Jane Markham Shirley Markham Shirley Waite Three Headed Underworld Vergil Virgil Waite Gouache Mythical Beast Mythical Creature
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases Shirley Markham's artistic prowess in her 1951 creation, "Dante and Virgil with three-headed monster". Inspired by Dante Alighieri's renowned literary masterpiece, the "Divine Comedy". Markham skillfully brings to life a pivotal moment from the epic poem. The image depicts Dante and his guide Virgil confronting a fearsome three-headed monster, representing sin and temptation. Markham's artistic journey was shaped by her time at the Central School of Art in London, where she studied Graphic Design and Illustration under the tutelage of Mervyn Peake. Influenced by esteemed British illustrators like Edward Ardizzone, Quentin Blake, and Edward Bawden, Markham developed a unique style that blended classical elements with modern sensibilities. During her travels through Italy, Markham immersed herself in its rich cultural heritage. She sketched classical buildings in Rome and spent time exploring the breathtaking Dolomite Mountains. These experiences undoubtedly informed her work on this particular illustration. Despite receiving acclaim for her talent as a graphic designer and illustrator after graduating from Central School of Art, societal expectations compelled Markham to abandon her promising career upon marriage in 1957. However, thanks to the discovery of her forgotten portfolio stored away in an attic for years, we now have the privilege of admiring Markham's remarkable artwork for the first time. This print is not intended for commercial use but serves as a testament to Shirley Markham's exceptional skills as an artist who deserves recognition alongside other celebrated illustrators of her era.
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