This online archive offers a comprehensive overview of over 2,100 illustrations that brought Charles Dickens's works to life. Curated by researcher Dr. Michael John Goodman, the website, titled "Charles Dickens Illustrated Gallery," offers a comprehensive collection of Dickens's works, organized by work and edition, making it a valuable resource for both readers and researchers.
The illustrations revealed this time are excerpts from four major editions, from 1836 to 1912. In the Original Editions, leading illustrators of the time, including Phiz and Cruikshank, visualized Dickens's words with dramatic line drawings, while the 'Household Edition' from the 1860s developed a more realistic style aimed at middle-class families. The deluxe 'Library Edition' for collectors and the 'Pears Centenary Edition' published to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Dickens's death are decorated with nostalgic retro illustrations.
The most frequently featured figure in this archive is Dickens's illustrator, Fizz. Born Hablett Knight Brown, he collaborated with Dickens for nearly 20 years. His illustrations for David Copperfield, Dombey and Son, Little Dorrit, and Bleak House are highly regarded for their delicate lines, dramatic compositions, and emotionally compelling scenes. Fizz's visual interpretations profoundly influenced how readers of the time understood and remembered the works.
