Arthur Rackham, V.P.R.W.S. (1867-1939)

The Questing Beast is a mythical monster from the Legends of King Arthur, and was the subject of chivalrous quests by famous knights such as King Pellinore and Sir Percival. It was known to have the head and neck of a serpent, the body of a leopard, the haunches of a lion and the feet of a hart.

Rackham began to illustrate books in 1894 and, drawing influence from a wide variety of sources such as Victorian fairy painting and Dürer prints, developed his own unique linear style. For much of his career his chief rival as a fairy story illustrator was Edmund Dulac (see lots 53 and 56).