The Lord of the Rings: The Lost Pictures
Dunedin (Friday 30 November 2012) – Tolkien
never wanted his classic fantasy novel, The Lord of the
Rings, to be illustrated…not even by himself. The
artworks of Mary Fairburn changed his mind – but never
made it to print. So, what happened to them? Dr Paul Tankard
of the University of Otago has been on a quest for the lost
paintings and their story. On Wednesday 12 December, Tankard
will be at the Dunedin City Library to talk about his own
‘unexpected journey’.
As Dr Tankard argues, none
of the familiar images of Tolkien’s Middle-Earth can be
said to represent Tolkien’s own vision. Fans of his books
will be surprised to learn that the work of the one artist
who appeared to share his vision remains unknown and
unpublished. One of her paintings, of Galadriel at the Well,
was purchased by Tolkien and remained with the Tolkien
family, although its story was lost. Instead, the artist
found herself destitute, and was compelled to trade-in her
series of illustrations to help repay a debt.
Until
earlier this year, the only people who knew of the paintings
have been their owners and the artist herself.
Like
a character in one of Tolkien’s stories, Paul Tankard has
been on a journey, tracking down the pictures and
correspondence between artist and writer, and has returned
home to tell the tale.
The audience members will
finally be able to see Tolkien’s vision for his books,
expressed through the unique artwork of Mary Fairburn, and
learn about the unusual relationship between the 76- year
old Tolkien and his young illustrator, before their
collaboration was lost to fate and circumstance.
Audience members are encouraged to book their tickets
in advance to avoid
disappointment.
The Lord of
the Rings: The Lost Pictures
Tolkien never
wanted his trilogy illustrated…until he saw the works of
Mary Fairburn.
Dr Paul Tankard unveils the long lost tale of Tolkien, the destitute artist and their unpublished vision.
Wednesday 12 December,
6.00pm
4th Floor, City
Library
FREE
Bookings
essential: 03 474 3690 or
library@dcc.govt.nz
ends