This week, I came across a set of three drawings, set together in one frame. Done by the same artist as illustrations to a children’s book. I do not know if the book was ever published. The artist is #WalterGrahamGrieve (1872-1937), who was born in Kirkliston, West Lothian, Scotland. His artistic talent was likely identified early on at his studies at St George’s Day School in Edinburgh. His later art studies were through the Royal Institution on the Mound and the Royal Scottish Academy Life School. Grieve began his career as a lithograph but transitioned to design and book illustration, which he continued to do most of his life.  Grieve was highly regarded as a painter in watercolour as well as oils.

The three illustrations are scenes from #ThePiedPiperofHamelin. I do not know for whom this set was designed or whether they were eventually published, but they display a fine artistic eye. My favourite parts from the images are the faces of the townsmen. Wonderfully expressive. The illustrations are executed in graphite, black ink, grey washes, and white body colour. They are all signed and I think come from Grieve’s early artistic life around 1900. Each image is 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ (165mm x 165mm). A wonderful set.