The illustrators
It all began with a faun. Holding an umbrella. Walking through the snow.
This is the image that came to Clive Staples Lewis when he was 16.
Somewhere along the way, a lion made its way into his dreams.
And some four years earlier than this first book of Narnia was published, while remarking upon poetry that had moved him, C.S. Lewis stated that “it was more as if a cupboard which one had hitherto valued as a place for hanging coats proved one day, when you opened the door, to lead to the garden of the Hesperides”.
But it was the umbrella-carrying faun that carried the seeds of Narnia.
When it comes to illustrators of this wonderful modern classic, often poised as a must-read Christmas classic, you cannot get much better than the original illustrator Pauline Baynes. Her work informs the reader of the story’s roots in Greek and Northern mythologies, being only one of two versions (the other being the graphic novelization below) with illustrations of Dionysus and the dancing nymphs and satyrs of the before-mentioned Hesperides.
However, there is one fault amongst her artwork: no Santa Claus!
In this Holiday mini-post, I have included one other illustrator of the full version, and several beautifully adapted versions, focusing on the elements discussed in this introduction. Happy Exploring! And HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
*Original!
Pauline Baynes
A favorite of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, British illustrator Pauline Baynes’ delicate illustrations have adorned many books over the years. It’s no wonder that only one other illustrator (that I could find) has adorned the unabridged version, as Baynes’ illustrations are acute and fit the story like poetry.
Here is the link to the full color version which I think is just wonderful!
Softcover: Harper Trophy, 2000
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Michael Hague
This American illustrator’s detailed and moving artwork can be counted on to accompany just about every major classic, and his is the only other unabridged The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe I came across besides Pauline Baynes’ version above. There are fewer illustrations than Baynes’, but the full page, and double page spreads that are there are very detailed! Additionally, there is a Santa Claus!
Macmillan Publishing, 1981
Find It:
∞ Abebooks
*Link has a different cover
Adapted Versions
Christian Birmingham
These are not illustrations. They are the memories of Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter after they return from Narnia – ethereal and dreamlike. Did it all really happen?
British illustrator Christian Birmingham has illustrated several classics and, in a recent blogpost, I featured his version of The Little Mermaid. It was my absolute favorite!
HarperCollins Publishers, 1998
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∞ Abebooks
Tudor Humphries
Beautiful endpapers, a gorgeous cover and a style that so perfectly matches Narnia, this book is probably my favorite of them when it comes down to illustration (although I enjoy the writing in the Christian Birmingham a little better I think). Trained in stage arts and theatre production, British illustrator Tudor Humphries pays close attention to light and this is reflected beautifully in his artwork.
HarperCollins Publishers, 2004
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Joey Chou
Breaking the story down to its simplest denominator, yet keeping it meaningful, Taiwan-born/Southern California-bred Joey Chou illustrates this delightful version for the youngest of us. His artwork can be found all over, as he has worked with Disney, Nickelodeon, Dreamworks, Sony etc etc. He has a new book that just came out that looks just fabulous called How the Villains Ruined Christmas. Check it out!
Harper Festival, 2021
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Adapted Series
The World of Narnia Collection
Deborah Maze
California artist Deborah Maze illustrates the World of Narnia series with bold artwork and rich, all-encompassing detail. There are several books in the series – I’ve listed the first four which cover the events in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
HarperCollins Publishers, 1997
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Lucy Steps Through a Wardrobe (Book 1)
∞ Abebooks
Edmund and the White Witch (Book 2)
∞ Abebooks
Aslan (Book 3)
∞ Abebooks
Aslan’s Triumph (Book 4)
∞ Abebooks
Graphic Novel
Robin Lawrie
I just love this graphic novel version – pages are adorned with birds, butterflies and small woodland creatures, and details from the story appear throughout. Robin Lawrie not only illustrated it, she abridged it as well and it reads easily. She must have put great effort into it, as each page is so well thought out and ornate! But what I love most, is the homage she pays to the elements of Greek mythology which plays such a prominent role as both inspiration for the story as well as of the land of Narnia itself. Pauline Baynes, the original illustrator, has the only other version that shows elements of the Greek god Dionysus and his “Garden of the Hesperides”.
Scholastic, 1993
Find It:
∞ Abebooks
For the Collector
The Complete Chronicles of Narnia
This wonderful gift edition, published in the UK, is beautiful and contains all seven of the stories, all bordered with in a different color, and includes a heartfelt, personal introduction by C.S. Lewis’s stepson, Douglas Gresham. Pages are laid out in two columns, with illustrations in full color by Pauline Baynes.
Published by HarperCollins Publishers, 2013
The Illustrated Covers
Although there are only two illustrators of the unabridged version, I had such a great time discovering the artists of these remarkable covers! (I’ve labelled the cover artist below each in green – scroll to see them all!)
Look for these on Amazon, Etsy, Ebay, Alibris Books, Abebooks, or find them on internet archives or from your local bookstore or library!
