Book Review: Gods, Myths and Mortals: Edmund Dulac’s American Weekly Illustrations
GODS, MYTHS AND MORTALS: EDMUND DULAC’S AMERICAN WEEKLY ILLUSTRATIONS by Albert Seligman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In the 1931 series, “Love Stories the Ancients Believed In”, eleven couples have been featured by the artist in a pivotal moment of their relationships. Well, actually ten couples. Poor Eros is unable to be in the frame with Psyche, as she’s preoccupied with trying to get past Cerberus, a giant three headed dog.
As a bonus, a preliminary pencil sketch of Perseus is included in this section, giving us a glimpse into the artist’s process.
To my eye, the most interesting illustration in this collection is of Luna and Endymion. Luna has chosen a bizarre way of ensuring the success of their relationship (you’ll see), which makes the illustration even more haunting. But I am left wondering about Dulac’s decision to depict Endymion with fully rounded, female hips and a nipped-in waist. Many of Dulac’s men have feminine-looking faces, so I am used to that eccentricity, but this shepherd boy’s extremely female form just can’t be overlooked.
For contrast, the illustration of Hercules is just as manly as you might expect him to be with trim hips, strong legs and a broad, muscled chest.
The second half of the book contains the 1933 series, “Myths the Ancients Believed” consists of eight illustrations. We start with a bang as a dazzling rainbow dominates the illustration of Halcyone about to receive some terrible news about her beloved husband, Ceyx. The story summary for this one almost feels like a sitcom plot.
In fact, most of the story summaries in this half of the book make modern-day storytelling seem tame. But as bizarre as the stories are, Dulac’s illustrations always manage to shine through.
The illustration of Pomona and Vertumnus stands out in the collection, as it’s done in a softer, sweeter style. Pomona’s hair doesn’t look shiny and lacquered. Instead, a plump braid hangs down her back and her face is framed with soft little curls. Even her dress seems more like a light country frock, a nice change from swaths of draped fabric or naked flesh.
The final illustration in the book, from the story of Flora and Zephyr, is a refreshing scene done in a crisp, elegant style with a 1920s look to the characters. It’s the after-dinner mint of the collection.
I hope you enjoy this feast for the eyes as much as I did. The story recaps have also whetted my appetite to re-visit longer versions of the classic tales.
Lori Alden Holuta
Lori Alden Holuta lives between the cornfields of Mid-Michigan, where she grows vegetables and herbs when she’s not writing, editing, or playing games with a cat named Chives.
