Phil May: His Life and Work 1864-1903

Book excerpt: This title was first published in 2002: Phil May (1864-1903) was one of the two outstanding British black and white artists of the 1890s - the other was Aubrey Beardsley. The work of both artists displays a masterly use of line to create character, but rather than focusing on subjects drawn from polite English society, May's world is that of ordinary people at the public house, the club, the race-course, the theatre and the East End. May spent some years in Australia before returning to achieve general acclaim as a foremost illustrator. He contributed humorous pen-and-ink drawings to popularist publications such as "The Daily Graphic" and "Punch", and became highly regarded by fellow artists James McNeill Whistler and Joseph Pennell. In this book, Simon Houfe offers insights into the interface between the artist's life and work, bringing into view an innovative figure working at the height of one of the most dazzling periods for black and white art.