This exhibit’s main focus displays all twelve chapters of Alice in Wonderland to represent how a variety of illustrators interpreted the classic story.
Alice in Wonderland is considered one of the most popular children’s books of all time. The characters and imagery have highlighted the fantasy genre, giving this book a lasing impact in popular culture. Being so unique, many artists have produced their interpretation of the famous story. In this exhibit, we share Salvador Dalí ‘s strangely beautiful work. Along with artwork, other pop-culture artifacts are on display.
Wednesday, November 18, 4pm
Illustrating Alice: The Changing Nature of the Illustrations of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
This presentation will examine some of the most significant sets of illustrations of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Beginning with Lewis Carroll’s own illustrations to Alice’s Adventures Under Ground, the manuscript that Carroll revised and expanded into Alice Wonderland, this presentation will then look at John Tenniel’s famous illustrations to Alice in Wonderland, which were later, colorized when they were used in Carroll’s The Nursery “Alice.” Although Tenniel’s illustrations are an essential element of Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, that has not prevented subsequent illustrators from re-imagining and re-interpreting Alice and the world of Wonderland. The presentation will appraise a selection of influential sets of Alice in Wonderland illustrations, many of which are on display as part of the Special Collections exhibition celebrating the 150th anniversary of the publication of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Jan Susina is a professor of English at Illinois State University where he teaches courses in Children's Literature, Visual Culture, and Victorian Studies. He is the author of The Place of Lewis Carroll in Children's Literature.
Jan Susina is a professor of English at Illinois State University where he teaches courses in Children's Literature, Visual Culture, and Victorian Studies. He is the author of The Place of Lewis Carroll in Children's Literature.