Illustrating 'Alice' - Some Views of Wonderland

Lecturer Elizabeth Merry

Category Illustrations

Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland (published 1865) transformed children’s literature with its fantastic originality and brilliant use of nonsense. Since then it has never been out of print, has been translated into many languages and has spawned not only imitators but also a huge amount of analytical commentary. We start with the origins of the book and its first illustrators – the writer himself and then Sir John Tenniel. So iconic was the book that as soon as it came out of copyright a host of artists produced their own versions – including Arthur Rackham, Mabel Lucie Attwell and Charles Robinson (brother of Thomas Heath Robinson). Throughout the 20th century we see how illustrators reflect different aspects of the book as well as the preoccupations of their own times. We look further at some of the most interesting artistic portrayals including those by Willy Pogany, Mervyn Peake, Jonathan Miller, and Salvador Dali, and will end with one or two current interpretations.

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Location Widcombe Social Club

Widcombe Social Club is situated at the bottom of Widcombe Hill within walking distance of the Bus and Railway Stations. From the City the quickest route on foot (a 10 minute stroll) is to walk over the foot bridge at the rear of Bath Spa Rail Station. Cross over the A36 at the pedestrian lights and turn left along Widcombe Parade (where there are lots of nice local shops and places to eat).

Cross over the juction with Prior Park Road. The Social Club is on the left at the bottom of Widcombe Hill.

The number 2 bus, from bus stop BK across the road from the train station will take you one stop to Widcombe.

There is very little parking locally. The closest car park is in Southgate which is not far from the Bus Station.

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Covid-19

While there is still uncertainty about social distancing or any change in regulations, if we are unable to meet, our lectures will continue online on Zoom.

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