You may, or may not, be aware that the spectacularly talented illustrator Ronald Searle died last week, aged 91.
Searle did the illustrations for the original books of St. Trinians (probably more famous for their film versions, but I believe they may have used some of his work in the titles, or am I dreaming this?)
He also did all the illustrations for Geoffrey Willans superlative series of books about Nigel Molesworth, public school boy at St. Custards, and all round comic hero. The Molesworth books are some of my absolute, all time favourite books and are hilariously funny.
They are written in Molesworth’s idiosyncratic vernacular, and this, coupled with Searle’s outrageously funny drawings make them works of sheer genius.
They have now been released by Penguin in one volume called simply ‘Molesworth’. Buy a copy. It will be money well spent.
This obituary in The Economist, is written by Molesworth himself, and is a wonderful example of why you should a) buy the book and b) indulge every single moment you can spend hunting down and appreciating Searle’s work.
My mother once wrote to Ronald Searle, telling him about her stepdaughter’s art career, and how much she loved his drawings, and offering to swap one for one of her driftwood boat sculptures. He obliged (along with a very nice letter) and my mum now has a Searle original hanging at the bottom of her stairs….
I’d offer pictures of all the above, but I don’t think WordPress lets me do that…
Charles
That is a very cool claim to fame. Your mother sounds like a superb boat sculpting art negotiating type of woman. Love to see them, but no I don’t think it does let you send pics.
He boats are lovely, and she does sell them now and then in arty shops. The only problem is she never feels they are any good, and can’t bear to part with them. A combination of which means she has about fifty around her house – some of which are more than five-feet long….
Charles
Blimey. That’s a fair number of boats of whatever size. They sound thoroughly intriguing.