Tolkien, the Artist

[littlemanpoet]

I was enjoying the new avatar of bilbo_baggins, which is the painting by JRRT of the entrance to Bag End, looking from inside, out. It's a very appealing and inviting piece of art; what struck me about it was first, the symmetry, and second, a hint of yin/yang in the line of the Hill as seen to the left outside the door. Is there something to be made of that? Or am I just bringing something in from the primary world that doesn't belong?

[bilbo_baggins]

I thought it would be prudent to show off the avatar you're speaking of...

I can't really guess if he wanted in yin/yang sort of thing in it or not.

I get as many Tolkien calendars as possible, and the one I have currently has the Fangorn Forest sketch for May. I highly enjoy all of Tolkien's artworks. Just seeing all the people and places come to life is a gift from the author nothing can replace.

bilbo

[littlemanpoet]

I realize that most of Tolkien's art does not have this characteristic, but the peculair feature of the Shire's round doors and windows, stands out to me because of the above mentioned avatar.

This particular painting by Tolkien, of the front door of Bag End, strikes me as a mandala. Maybe it's not as complex as what a Tibetan monk might create, but the resemblance is there. Anybody know anything about mandalas? I know Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung had their fingers stirring in this pot, and I've read plenty of Jungian interpretations of LotR. Am I just reading it into this painting, or is there something there?

[davem]

Tolkien Mandalas?

There are these 'heraldic devices' for various houses & individuals (in the 'Drawings by Tolkien' section (bottom of page):http://www.arwen-undomiel.com/tolkien/gallery.html

Well ... am I to join in this long list of praise?
Yes, I think Tolkien knew how to handle his pencils and he made quite some nice drawings.
What I do not agree with is the high amount of detail that was mentioned. He drew well enogh to give a quick impression of what he wanted to show. If you really look closely, though, his illustrations sometimes contradict his writings (example: Laketown) and are confusing rather than helpfull for any attempt to make a serious "realistic" approach.
I doubt that we should take the Prof. more serious than he would have, himself. He was not an artist, not a geologist, not an architect nor archeologist; he was a linguist who made some exzessive doodles that some people started to like.

*waiting to get flamed ......*

[littlemanpoet]

This tree looks positively Hindu! It defies gravity. What's that in the bottom right, a mountain? Does anyone know what this picture is of? I'd include it here, but I'm sure it would be a memory/space hog.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

LMP, that's the 'Tree of Amalion' - I mentioned it in post #12 as my least favorite picture in that chapter. According to Hammond and Scull's comments, it represents the 'Tree of Tales' which Tolkien refers to in Of Fairy-Stories and is related to the Tree in Leaf by Niggle. Tolkien's own comments:

...elaborated and coloured and more suitable for embroidery than printing; and the tree bears besides various shapes of leaves many flowers samll and large signifying poems and major legends.

He said he drew it "regularly, at those times when I feel driven to pattern-designing." It is dated August 1928.

Yes, those are mountains are the bottom right.

[THE Ka]

Originally Posted by Thorgis

Well ... am I to join in this long list of praise?
Yes, I think Tolkien knew how to handle his pencils and he made quite some nice drawings.
What I do not agree with is the high amount of detail that was mentioned. He drew well enogh to give a quick impression of what he wanted to show. If you really look closely, though, his illustrations sometimes contradict his writings (example: Laketown) and are confusing rather than helpfull for any attempt to make a serious "realistic" approach.
I doubt that we should take the Prof. more serious than he would have, himself. He was not an artist, not a geologist, not an architect nor archeologist; he was a linguist who made some exzessive doodles that some people started to like.

*waiting to get flamed ......*

Sometimes your mind can run away with the paint...

As for pencils, they are the best thing next to smoked fish. Wonderfully adaptible and can convey any shade and depth. Something that is wonderful in illustrating Tolkien's world, something he proably would agree with as well. Plus they come in a variety of colours now!

~ Ka

[Estelyn Telcontar]

Let's continue discussing Tolkien's artwork with "Art for Children", Chapter 3 of the book. I just bought his "Letters to Father Christmas" so that I can see all of the illustrations, inclucing those not put into this book. Since Chapter 3 begins with those as well, let's start there before moving on to his other children's books.

The tradition of writing Father Christmas letters to his children began in 1920; his 3-year old son John received the first one. We can see how JRRT used calligraphy, imitating an "old" shaky handwriting. Besides the rather traditional depiction of Father Christmas himself, the second part of the picture shows his house, a very fanciful structure, a little like an iglu, with spires that are typical of his style.

The letters continued until 1943, when Priscilla was 14. I hope those of you who have one or the other book will post your impressions; I shall come back with more later on as well.