The Jungle Book, by Kipling (Illustrated by M.& E. Detmold)

Edward Detmold and his twin brother Maurice were fairly influential in their heyday, and were much like the Cavendish brothers. Both sets of brothers were considered child prodigies in their day, and had rather unique and eccentric upbringings which broke many of the rules of Edwardian social parameters.
In the case of both sets of brothers, they worked together in the creation of art, and in the case of both brothers, they worked predominantly on paper. Edward Julius Detmold however became famous for his animal works, and both brothers spend hours at the London Zoo creating images of animals, but doing so in a very Edwardian manner. They owe a clear debt to Japanese aesthetics and yet they are also delightfully Edwardian, with subtle colours and a certain restraint.
These young boys were exhibiting at the Royal Academy at the ripe old age of 13, and in London they were celebrated by the time they were were in their late teens. The twins illustrated numerous books, and were sought after by writers to illustrate. Their works are stunningly rich and lush and at times fall into chocolate box sentimentality. Perhaps the greatest illustrations the brothers completed were for the 1908 Macmillan publication of "The Jungle Book" by Kipling, and the works are stunning, and it's hard to think of another adjective. Shortly afterward, Maurice killed himself by inhalation of chloroform. The two were already stars of the art and illustration world, but no doubt the death of his brother was a devastating blow to Edward. 
The year after the suicide of Maurice, Edward created a number of illustration plates and chapter heads for a 1909 publication of Aesop's Fables. The images Detmold created for this book are nothing short of breathtaking, but clearly anchored in their period. Edward went on to create illustrations for a number of years and by the 1920's his works were more fantastic. In the 1930's Edward withdrew to Wales, and became more and more socially isolated. It would seem that the suicide of Maurice had a tremendous and long-lasting effect on Edward, because in 1957 Edward killed himself. 

THE JUNGLE BOOK

0-Cover
1-The 'Council Rock'
2-'Akela', the Lone Wolf
3-Mowgli and Bagheera
4-Mowgli leaving the Jungle
5-Baloo in the Forest
6-The 'Cold Lairs'
7-The Monkey Fight
8-'Kaa', the Python
9-The Village Club
10-Shere Khan in the Jungle
11-The Return of the Buffalo Herd
12-Mowgli and the Lone Wolf
13-Rikki-tikki-tavi and Nag
14-Kala Nag
15-Elephant-Dance
16-Toomia of the Elephants

Music by Loreena McKennitt, 'The Mummers' Dance'.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• shivabel
• art
• The
• Jungle
• Book

[amarys2art]

Beautiful illustrations and very good video!

[Lauried2000]

Wow, thank you very much shivabel...so beautiful

[Incognito851]

Also a fine video of you though the book is old fashioned, you fave founf a fitting modern music.

good work

[aprendizdelfueye]

Muy Bueno!

★★★★★

[5SUSANA]

FANTASTICO*****

[swampiful]

Una meraviglia dopo l'altra... grazie

[Vertigo1871]

Bellissima la tua trilogia della giungla :-)

[ourDC888]

So beautiful! Thank you! Both music and video are just magic!

[cheyennefree]

stupendi grazie! 

[MrHammership]

Simply outstanding, congratulations.