The late 1800s saw the dawn of what is now called the Golden Age of Illustration, and Edwin Austin Abbey was a widely acclaimed member of the artists who flourished during this time. Although also a muralist and painter, Abbey’s illustrations may have reached the widest audiences during his lifetime.

 During his lifetime, Abbey illustrated many of the most beloved plays, such as Shakespeare’s comedies, several tragedies, and Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer. The elegance of She Stoops to Conquer by Edwin Austin Abbey brought delightful warmth to the comedic play, and he was celebrated in both the United States and in his adopted home – London, England.

Early Career Success for Edwin Austin Abbey

Edwin Austin Abbey was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1852. He studied under Christian Schüssele at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and was already publishing illustrations before age 20. His earliest works appeared in Harper’s Weekly and later in Scribner’s Magazine.

Still in his early 20s, Abbey began work on illustrations for Charles Dickens’ Some Christmas Stories and later on Selections from the Poetry of Robert Herrick. The illustrations he began for Robert Herrick’s lyric 17th-century poetry were so popular that Abbey’s employer urged him to relocate to England in 1878 to continue his work. There, he completed the illustrations in 1882.

After finishing the Herrick poetry illustrations, Edwin Austin Abbey began work on Oliver Goldsmith’s popular play, She Stoops to Conquer.

Abbey’s Envisioning of She Stoops to Conquer

Oliver Goldsmith wrote She Stoops to Conquer in the late 1700s. The first public performance of this play was in 1773 at the Covent Garden Theatre, to tremendous and immediate acclaim. It has remained a beloved favorite ever since. Many studying English Literature read and analyze it, and there have been numerous performances since its debut. There are two movie adaptations of She Stoops to Conquer and a TV production.

Many considered the play a revival of the laughing comedy or comedy of manners, designed to elicit laughter from the audience at the foibles and silliness of the characters. Divided into five acts, She Stoops to Conquer follows the machinations of Mrs. Hardcastle, her daughter Kate, and a series of misunderstandings.

Edwin Austin Abbey completed his illustrations for She Stoops to Conquer in 1887. The illustrations first appeared in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine and afterward were published with the play in book form. Once again, the reception for these brilliant illustrations was overwhelmingly positive. And Abbey went on to create many more beautiful illustrations for other plays and authors.

In Abbey’s illustrations for She Stoops to Conquer, he captures the fashions of the late 18th century in stunning detail. The artwork is incredibly expressive and emotive, conveying whimsy or humor, depending on the scene. The level of detail in the pen and ink illustrations brings the story to life, and his character renderings look ready to walk off the page or speak aloud.

Abbey and The Golden Age of Illustration

Most publications relied heavily on illustrators well into the early 20th century. Crafting photographs before 1920 was a laborious process, producing dark photos. Most newspapers and magazines kept illustrators on staff who would travel to the location and capture the scene with pen and ink. More people could access these publications as the postal system and railroad lines improved.

Coinciding with these advancements was a burgeoning middle class with increasing literacy rates. Publishers realized that including high-quality illustrations increased circulation and made the best illustrators into beloved celebrities. Edwin Austin Abbey enjoyed the high esteem of many people and artists in the United States and England throughout his career.

Abbey’s Later Works and Transition to Muralist and Painter

Abbey continued illustrating many plays, including the comedies of Shakespeare and a few tragedies, such as Hamlet and Richard III. But he also began to work in new mediums, encouraged mainly by his friend, John Singer Sargent. Again, the immediate response to his oil paintings was positive, resulting in a commission to paint murals for the Boston Public Library. He labored over the mural scenes showing Galahad’s quest for the Holy Grail for 11 years, and they remain at the library to this day.

As the artist continued to explore large oil paintings and murals, he expanded the size of his illustrations. These larger drawings include incredible technique and detail that was not always apparent in the much smaller publications. But public support and critical acclaim never wavered. Edwin Austin Abbey received a commission to paint the coronation of King Edward VII and later for the Royal Exchange.

Honored By His Home State of Pennsylvania

In the early 1900s, Abbey began work on murals for the newly finished Pennsylvania State Capitol. Unfortunately, his health began to fail before he completed the work. As Abbey grew more ill from cancer, his studio assistant William Simmonds and his friend, John Singer Sargent, contributed to the murals. Since he had yet to begin murals for two rooms, another artist received the commission to finish them.

The Legacy of Edwin Austin Abbey

Although Abbey died at 59, he received numerous honors during his lifetime. He was an honorary member of several exclusive art societies. He also received an honorary degree from Yale and a knighthood. Friends and fans celebrated his prolific work and attention to accuracy and detail in all his work.

During his life, he was a supporter of the British School at Rome. After his death, his wife established memorial scholarships in his name and donated money to help build the studio block for the school. The scholarships were reestablished in their current form in the 1990s. His legacy continues to support fine art at the school.

Whether working with pen and ink, watercolor, or oil paint, Edwin Austin Abbey was able to translate the emotions and actions of the characters in such a way that the viewer feels they are watching the action play out. From the cheerful and bumbling characters in She Stoops to Conquer to the brooding stare of the Queen in Hamlet painting, Abbey’s work is still celebrated and exhibited to this day.