The Greatest Imaginative Artist Since Blake

"The greatest imaginative artist since Blake"
-Hannen Swaffer

Fantasy illustrator Sidney Sime (1867-1941) enjoyed popularity during his lifetime, collaborating with Lord Dunsany on many of his works, including the Book of Wonder and the Sword of Welleran. They became firm friends and each gained inspiration from the other's work. Sime is now sadly neglected, though as you can see from his works, he captured a spirit of fantasy that few others have even caught a glimpse of. HP Lovecraft said of Sime: "There's something those fellows catch - beyond life - that they're able to make us catch for a second. Doré had it. Sime has it." Later, Arthur C Clarke, said: "No-one has ever captured the spirit of fantasy more perfectly than Sime." Enjoy this selection of Sime's works.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• sidney
• sime
• lord
• dunsany
• art
• fantasy
• rings
• tolkien
• lovecraft
• arthur
• clarke
• william
• blake

[Ridenite]

Nice to see Mr. Sime's getting some recognition. I've been a Dunsany fan for years, and I can't think of any artist who could surpass Sime when it comes to solidifying the fantastic. Theydontlikeitupem, you have excellent taste.

[theydontlikeitupem]

Thank you. I certainly think it's high time Sime got some mainstream recognition. It's my hope that one day Everyman's Library might see fit to release a complete collection of Dunsany's work, with Sime's illustrations alongside, as they should be. (given Dunsany's own recent recognition in the Penguin Classics range, this isn't entirely wishful thinking)

[overlord34]

Where do you find this art anyway? ive been searching for a nice print for a long time.

[theydontlikeitupem]

I just downloaded the pics from a free gallery. Not sure where you can buy prints. Sorry.

[Kuwasseg]

Wonderful. =) Perfect selection of music, all the best of his illustrations.

[theydontlikeitupem]

Thanks very much.

[CharlesSchneiderfilm]

How unexpected and great to find this here. As a young man I walked twenty miles down an Irish country road to visit Castle Dunsany. Sime's art is so finely detailed that it is well worth seeking out the early Dunsany editions, for no current reproductions in print do his ultra-fine penwork justice, alas.

[CASHPLREH]

Tim Kirk, who illustrated the three Owlswick editions of Dunsany, is very good. However, Sime is the undisputed master when it comes to depictions of Dunsany's astonishingly beautiful visions. I entirely agree with previous commentators who feel that Sidney Sime is long overdue the recognition he deserves.

[AirikrStrife]

I really love this video. Dunsany is perhaps the best fantasy author ever and Sime really catches Dunsany magical feeling in his works. I'm very interrested to know which song you used in this video

[bissolis]

Very good!! Thanks Bissoli sergio verona Italy

[overlord34]

Do you know where i can find this art, ive been looking for a couple weeks now.