Pennell, Joseph (1857-1926) "The Reality of our Dreams"

Joseph Pennell (1857-1926). "The Reality of our Dreams". 

[1893]. 12 x 8 1/2. Original goauche illustration on paper for article, "To Gypsyland," published by The Century Company. Signed in upper right corner. No date. Professionally conserved and backed with archival paper. Top right corner chipped. Some cracking in gouache in thigh area with small loss of painted surface. Else, good condition. With original label of the Century Company.  

An original gouache drawing by Joseph Pennell to accompany his wife's article, "To Gypsyland" published by The Century Company in 1893. Most likely this illustration accompanied twenty-nine other such illustrations executed by Pennell for a book by the same title written by his wife Elizabeth Robins Pennell.

The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine was one of the most successful long-running (1881-1930) "General Interest" publications in American history. Originally published as Scribner's Monthly, it was renamed The Century Magazine after the death of book publisher, Charles Scribner. The magazine was able to combine relevant topics of the time with fiction and poetry with illustrations with some of the best well known writers and illustrators of the time.

The Century wanted to publish a collection of Pennell's Philadelphia views and sent a young author, Elizabeth Robins, to write the text. Their article, "A Ramble in Old Philadelphia," was published in 1882 and two years later they were married. They then collaborated on books and articles for the next forty years. Joseph Pennell did many illustrations for The Century during the late 1880s and early 1890s.

A contemporary review of the book, To Gypsyland, stated: "The author is a niece of Charles G. Leland of Philadelphia, who has made gypsies and gypsy lore the study of his life. Mrs. Pennell imbibed the love of the Romany people from her uncle, and while a young girl, living in Philadelphia, she began her search in quest for the genial gypsy. The books, is in the main, an account of the travels of Mr. and Mrs. Pennell through Hungary. The plaintive impassioned music of the Romany Czardas is in the words moving, no to laughter and now to tears." A part of "To Gypsyland" was published in the The Century, the new matter includes thirty illustrations by Mr. Pennell.

Also by this artist:

"Liberty Bell."

"Old Fairmount Water Works and Basin."

"Fourth Street Meeting House." [Philadelphia]

"The Nave, Washington Cathedral."

"Cromwell's Room, Sydney Sussex College, Cambridge."