The Magazine of Art
Encyclopedia
The Magazine of Art was an illustrated monthly British journal devoted to the visual arts, published from May 1878 to July 1904 in London
and New York
by Cassell, Petter, Galpin & Co. It included reviews of exhibitions, articles about artists and all branches of the visual arts, as well as some poetry, and was lavishly illustrated by leading engravers of the period such as William Biscombe Gardner
.
started publication of a journal devoted to The Great Exhibition
of that year. It evolved, in 1852, into "The Illustrated Exhibitor and Magazine of Art", a weekly devoted to the arts, educational in purpose and offering "culture for the little cultured". It changed name in February 1853 to "The Illustrated Magazine of Art" but never achieved great popularity and ceased publication in 1854. The magazine was revived for a while during the 1862 International Exhibition
but then lay dormant until 1878.
"The Magazine of Art" itself started publication on 25 Apr 1878, the same year as the Exposition Universelle
in Paris
, and was edited initially by Arthur J. R. Trendell until 1880. Editorship then passed in turn to Eric Robertson (1880-81), William Ernest Henley
(1881-86), Sidney Galpin (1886) and Marion Harry Spielmann (1886-1904 - who also edited the Pall Mall Gazette
). Within 3 years of starting publication, the magazine had become firmly established and now included art reviews. Artist Hubert Herkomer was persuaded to design a poster for the magazine which depicted the goddess of art on the steps of a temple with the great masters of art looking on in approval (see image above).
No expense was spared in producing the journal which was regarded as the "flag of the house". It sought to engage the interest of the art lover and art collector while retaining an independent critical voice. One of its most popular contributors was artist William W. Fenn who by then had lost his sight. Despite his blindness, he was able to contribute reviews with the help of his wife who took him around the galleries and gave him verbal information about the exhibits.
W. E. Henley (1881-86) was responsible for revitalising the magazine and transforming it into a "lively cosmopolitan review of the arts" that was influential in shaping the public's perception of and taste in art. He engaged eminent artists and literary figures to write for the journal including R L Stevenson, Richard Jefferies
, J. Comyns Carr
and others, and the quality of the wood engravings was further improved. He also introduced poetry to its pages.
M. H. Spielmann was editor for 17 years from 1886-1904 and encouraged many well known artists, as well as leading art critic John Ruskin
, to contribute articles. In 1888, a supplement was introduced called "Royal Academy Pictures", which, as its name suggests, contained reproductions of the chief works from the annual Royal Academy
exhibitions in London. However, The Magazine of Art failed to make sufficient returns to justify its continued existence and publication ceased in 1904, though "Royal Academy Pictures" continued until 1916.
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
by Cassell, Petter, Galpin & Co. It included reviews of exhibitions, articles about artists and all branches of the visual arts, as well as some poetry, and was lavishly illustrated by leading engravers of the period such as William Biscombe Gardner
William Biscombe Gardner
William Biscombe Gardner was an English painter and engraver. Working in both watercolour and oils, he exhibited widely in London in the late 19th century at venues such as the Royal Academy and the Grosvenor Gallery...
.
History
Its origins can be traced back to May 1851, when the House of CassellCassell Illustrated
Cassell & Co is a British book publishing house, founded in 1848 by John Cassell . In December 1998 Cassell & Co was bought by the Orion Publishing Group. In January 2002 Cassell imprints, including the Cassell Reference and Cassell Military were joined with the Weidenfeld imprints to form a new...
started publication of a journal devoted to The Great Exhibition
The Great Exhibition
The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations or The Great Exhibition, sometimes referred to as the Crystal Palace Exhibition in reference to the temporary structure in which it was held, was an international exhibition that took place in Hyde Park, London, from 1 May to 15 October...
of that year. It evolved, in 1852, into "The Illustrated Exhibitor and Magazine of Art", a weekly devoted to the arts, educational in purpose and offering "culture for the little cultured". It changed name in February 1853 to "The Illustrated Magazine of Art" but never achieved great popularity and ceased publication in 1854. The magazine was revived for a while during the 1862 International Exhibition
1862 International Exhibition
The International of 1862, or Great London Exposition, was a world's fair. It was held from 1 May to 1 November 1862, beside the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society, South Kensington, London, England, on a site that now houses museums including the Natural History Museum and the Science...
but then lay dormant until 1878.
"The Magazine of Art" itself started publication on 25 Apr 1878, the same year as the Exposition Universelle
Exposition Universelle (1878)
The third Paris World's Fair, called an Exposition Universelle in French, was held from 1 May through to 10 November 1878. It celebrated the recovery of France after the 1870 Franco-Prussian War.-Construction:...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, and was edited initially by Arthur J. R. Trendell until 1880. Editorship then passed in turn to Eric Robertson (1880-81), William Ernest Henley
William Ernest Henley
William Ernest Henley was an English poet, critic and editor, best remembered for his 1875 poem "Invictus".-Life and career:...
(1881-86), Sidney Galpin (1886) and Marion Harry Spielmann (1886-1904 - who also edited the Pall Mall Gazette
Pall Mall Gazette
The Pall Mall Gazette was an evening newspaper founded in London on 7 February 1865 by George Murray Smith; its first editor was Frederick Greenwood...
). Within 3 years of starting publication, the magazine had become firmly established and now included art reviews. Artist Hubert Herkomer was persuaded to design a poster for the magazine which depicted the goddess of art on the steps of a temple with the great masters of art looking on in approval (see image above).
No expense was spared in producing the journal which was regarded as the "flag of the house". It sought to engage the interest of the art lover and art collector while retaining an independent critical voice. One of its most popular contributors was artist William W. Fenn who by then had lost his sight. Despite his blindness, he was able to contribute reviews with the help of his wife who took him around the galleries and gave him verbal information about the exhibits.
W. E. Henley (1881-86) was responsible for revitalising the magazine and transforming it into a "lively cosmopolitan review of the arts" that was influential in shaping the public's perception of and taste in art. He engaged eminent artists and literary figures to write for the journal including R L Stevenson, Richard Jefferies
Richard Jefferies
John Richard Jefferies was an English nature writer, noted for his depiction of English rural life in essays, books of natural history, and novels. His childhood on a small Wiltshire farm had a great influence on him and provides the background to all his major works of fiction...
, J. Comyns Carr
J. Comyns Carr
Joseph William Comyns Carr was an English drama and art critic, gallery director, author, poet, playwright and theatre manager....
and others, and the quality of the wood engravings was further improved. He also introduced poetry to its pages.
M. H. Spielmann was editor for 17 years from 1886-1904 and encouraged many well known artists, as well as leading art critic John Ruskin
John Ruskin
John Ruskin was the leading English art critic of the Victorian era, also an art patron, draughtsman, watercolourist, a prominent social thinker and philanthropist. He wrote on subjects ranging from geology to architecture, myth to ornithology, literature to education, and botany to political...
, to contribute articles. In 1888, a supplement was introduced called "Royal Academy Pictures", which, as its name suggests, contained reproductions of the chief works from the annual Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
exhibitions in London. However, The Magazine of Art failed to make sufficient returns to justify its continued existence and publication ceased in 1904, though "Royal Academy Pictures" continued until 1916.
Further reading
The following volumes are available to read online and download:- The Magazine of Art Volume 5 (Nov 1881-Oct 1882).
- The Magazine of Art Volume 6 (Nov 1882-Oct 1883).
- The Magazine of Art Volume 7 (Nov 1883-Oct 1884).
- The Magazine of Art Volume 8 (Nov 1884-Oct 1885).
- The Magazine of Art Volume 9 (Nov 1885-Oct 1886).
- The Magazine of Art Volume 10 (Nov 1886-Oct 187).
- The Magazine of Art Volume 11 (Nov 1887-Oct 1888).
- The Magazine of Art Volume 12 (Nov 1888-Oct 1889).
- The Magazine of Art Volume 16 (Nov 1892-Oct 1893).
- The Magazine of Art Volume 17 (Nov 1893-Oct 1894).
- The Magazine of Art Volume 20 (Nov 1896-Apr 1897).
- The Magazine of Art Volume 21.1 (May 1897).
- The Magazine of Art Volume 21.2 (Jun 1897).
- The Magazine of Art Volume 22 (Nov 1897-Oct 1898).
- The Magazine of Art Volume 23.6 (Apr 1899).
- The Magazine of Art Volume 23.7 (May 1899).
- The Magazine of Art Volume 23.8 (May 1899).
- The Magazine of Art Volume 23.10 (Jun 1899).
External links
- Illustrations of Queen Victoria from The Magazine of Art (Bedfordshire Libraries)