Art & Literature

A few months ago, I mentioned my admiration for the work of illustrator Victor Ambrus.

While helping my mum move house (at last!), I've just rediscovered a book I had as a kid – Favourite Tales from Shakespeare by Bernard Miles (Hamlyn, 1976) – with glorious pen-and-wash Ambrus pictures on nearly every page!

For example, here's carpenter-playwright Peter Quince and his black and white cat:



The King of Denmark's ghost:


and oh baby, Lady Macbeth:


There's so much more – duels, shipwrecks, fairies, Theseus and the Minotaur – it's almost unfair to pick these out. But aren't they gorgeous?