In this illustration to The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, rendered invisible by a magic ring, converses with the dragon, Smaug. Tolkien’s fantasy world, Middle-earth, is populated with creatures that owe much to the literary tradition of northern Europe. A Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford, Tolkien had an expert knowledge of this tradition. In the year he drew this watercolour, he wrote: ‘A dragon is no idle fancy. Whatever may be his origins, in fact or invention, the dragon in legend is a potent creation of men’s imagination, richer in significance than his barrow is in gold.’
There is a special thrill to seeing the originals of beloved works, from Shakespeare's first folio at the Bodleian to the draft of a Beatles' song at the British Museum. For me, a section showing the movement from first drafts to published versions of favourite works would be wonderful
Posted by Christopher Starr
On 15/12/2011
There is no question that this is a treasure. This needs to be displayed for all to see.
Posted by Darko Vusir
On 04/12/2011
The Professor's 'Hobbit' illustrations make much magical noise, adding a real sparkle to the special magnificence of his works. A real treasure!
Posted by Mr Reindeer
On 30/11/2011
I saw this painting in 1992 and I remember that I was very much impressed. It adds to the craft of Tolkien, as one of the many aspects of his work. For the Bodleian it is important to show this (and other Tolkien material I hope), because it will be attractive for a greater group of people, people who otherwise would not be visiting the Bodleian.
Posted by Johan Vanhecke
On 28/11/2011
This vibrant illustration is one of a set of five, painted by Tolkien in the summer of 1937 for the first American edition of The Hobbit. It is full of vivid details, including the Arkenstone gleaming on top of the treasure trove, the skeletons of those who had attempted previous thefts, and a curse written in Elvish script on the large amphora. A feast for children’s eyes!
Comments
What makes this a treasure?
There is a special thrill to seeing the originals of beloved works, from Shakespeare's first folio at the Bodleian to the draft of a Beatles' song at the British Museum. For me, a section showing the movement from first drafts to published versions of favourite works would be wonderful
Posted by Christopher Starr
On 15/12/2011
There is no question that this is a treasure. This needs to be displayed for all to see.
Posted by Darko Vusir
On 04/12/2011
The Professor's 'Hobbit' illustrations make much magical noise, adding a real sparkle to the special magnificence of his works. A real treasure!
Posted by Mr Reindeer
On 30/11/2011
I saw this painting in 1992 and I remember that I was very much impressed. It adds to the craft of Tolkien, as one of the many aspects of his work. For the Bodleian it is important to show this (and other Tolkien material I hope), because it will be attractive for a greater group of people, people who otherwise would not be visiting the Bodleian.
Posted by Johan Vanhecke
On 28/11/2011
This vibrant illustration is one of a set of five, painted by Tolkien in the summer of 1937 for the first American edition of The Hobbit. It is full of vivid details, including the Arkenstone gleaming on top of the treasure trove, the skeletons of those who had attempted previous thefts, and a curse written in Elvish script on the large amphora. A feast for children’s eyes!
Posted by Catherine Parker
On 05/09/2011