Illustrating Narnia

In this, the centenary year of the birth of C S Lewis, BfK looks at the work of the illustrators who have interpreted The Chronicles of Narnia, Pauline Baynes and Christian Birmingham

Pauline Baynes

Pauline Baynes’s illustrations to the Chronicles of Narnia are as inseparable in the imagination as John Tenniel’s illustrations to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland or E. H. Shepard’s illustrations to Winnie-the-Pooh.

Pauline Baynes’s long association with Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien began with Tolkien’s dislike of some illustrations his publishers had chosen for Farmer Giles of Ham (1946). Pauline had recently left her portfolio with publishers Allen and Unwin and when they showed the drawings to Tolkien he was delighted. Pauline illustrated the book in the style of a medieval manuscript. Not long afterwards it was suggested to Lewis that she might illustrate The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Pauline met C. S. Lewis for the first time on 31st December 1949 at a luncheon party that Lewis gave in Magdalen College. Lewis was so impressed by her style of drawing that he wanted her to illustrate all the Narnia stories.

For Narnia Pauline worked in pen and ink. Her souce of inspiration was in part Persian miniatures (cf The Horse and His Boy) and her style highly decorative. Her fluent line, imaginative flair and lively attention to detail admirably suit the spirit of the Chronicles. For this centenary year of the birth of C. S. Lewis, Pauline has hand painted her original black and white illustrations to the Chronicles which are being reissued in ‘B’ format and in a compilation volume.

In 1968 Pauline won the Kate Greenaway Medal for her illustrations to Grant Uden’s Dictionary of Chivalry. The award was probably given as much for her illustrations to Narnia as for this book. She was runner-up for the prize in 1972. She has illustrated over a hundred books, including some she has written herself.

Christian Birmingham

Christian Birmingham graduated from Exeter College of Art and Design in 1991. His first picture book, Berlie Doherty’s The Magical Bicycle, was shortlisted for the Kurt Maschler Award in 1995. Since then he has illustrated numerous picture books including The Sea of Tranquility and The Butterfly Lion. For his picture book version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (which has an abridged text), he has created illustrations in both colour and black and white. Birmingham’s style is naturalist, rendered with a bold and intense palette in which the play of light and shade via dappled colours is dramatically integral.

Centenary Year Events

‘World of Narnia’ Exhibition at The London Toy and Model Museum

This exhibition will run until April 1999. It allows you to walk through the wardrobe and step into scenes from the world of Narnia. Among the exhibits will be first editions and original artwork by Pauline Baynes. There will also be an historical showcase devoted to the life of C. S. Lewis. Christian Birmingham’s artwork for the picture book version of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will also be featured. Further information from Matthew O’Reilly, The London Toy and Model Museum, 21/23 Craven Hill, London W2 3EN (0171 706 8000).

RSC Stage New Adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardobe

Adrian Mitchell’s new dramatisation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardobe is being staged in the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon from 24th November 1998 to 27th February 1999. It will be directed by Adrian Noble, the Artistic Director of the RSC. The production will transfer to London in the spring of 1999.

Details of books discussed

The Magician’s Nephew, 0 00 671683 0

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, 0 00 671677 6

The Horse and His Boy, 0 00 671678 4

Prince Caspian, 0 00 671679 2

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, 0 00 671680 6

The Silver Chair, 0 00 671681 4

The Last Battle, 0 00 671682 2

Collins Children’s Books, ‘B’ format pbks, £6.99 each. With colour illustrations by Pauline Baynes.

The Complete Chronicles of Narnia

Collins Children’s Books, 0 00 185713 4, £29.99 hbk. Illustrated in colour by Pauline Baynes.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Collins Children’s Books, 0 00 185701 0, £12.99 hbk. Picture book illustrated by Christian Birmingham.