There are very few people who are not familiar with the boy who refused to grow up. The story of Peter Pan is close to our hearts: a memorial to our childhoods—and to the children we still are.
Walt Disney's animation is so popular it seems to overshadow James M. Barrie’s original story. When someone says Peter Pan it’s usually Disney’s version that jumps to mind: red hair, green suit, a pointed hat with a red feather. It was in 1953 that Disney got ahold of Peter Pan, and the version of the world and characters he created has been the prevailing one ever since.
People are often surprised to learn that there wasn’t originally a book called “Peter Pan”. Peter’s first appearance was actually as a side character in another of Barrie’s books: The Little White Bird published in 1902. Two years later, Peter Pan would star in his own work—a play called The Boy Who Never Grew Up.
It wasn't until 1911 the book most of us know him from was finally published, under the name of Peter and Wendy.
Peter Pan was never thoroughly described in any of Barrie’s works. Open to interpretation as his appearance was, he went through many changes over the years, in both the plays and the books. But it’s the illustrations I’m interested in today.
Here’s a look at a few artists who have illustrated Peter Pan, from both before and after Disney:
- F. D. Bedford -
F.D. Bedford illustrated Peter and Wendy’s very first edition.
I couldn’t find much on him as a person, except that he was born in 1864 at Notting Hill, and exhibited at the Royal Academy. (1[Wiki]). What I can say, though, is that his work is beautiful.
Most of his illustrations are black and white, but as far as I’m concerned, that only adds to their charm.
The full book of Peter Pan, Bedford’s illustrations included, is free to read here, on Project Gutenberg website:
- Flora White -
I couldn’t find much on Flora white either. I know that she attended the Brighton School of Art, and had four sisters. (2 p.283)
I don’t think she ever did illustrate an edition of Peter and Wendy. Her art was for other works, such as Peter Pan’s ABC’s, published in 1916, and a series of Peter Pan picture cards.(3) Never-the-less, her illustrations are also lovely.
As I mentioned above, we don’t get much by way of description when it comes to Peter Pan. But in the brief sentence or two that we have, Barrie mentions specifically that Peter “had all his first
teeth.”(4 Ch. 1) He’s younger than we’ve come to envision him. Flora White’s paintings capture beautifully that lost childishness. Peter Pan also looks very charming in red.
teeth.”(4 Ch. 1) He’s younger than we’ve come to envision him. Flora White’s paintings capture beautifully that lost childishness. Peter Pan also looks very charming in red.
- Trina Schart Hyman -
Trina Schart Hyman is dear to my heart. When I was little, I had her illustrated copy of St. George and the Dragon.
She was a prolific artist, and illustrated many books, but I never saw her version of Peter Pan until recently. I adore these illustrations. I adore how gangly and angular they are. These sketches are almost lovelier than her full-color pieces.
Find a larger gallery of her work
- Scott Gustafson -
*Peter Pan illustrations by Scott Gustafson © The Tempest Company, 1991. Used with permission of the artist. For more information, please visit www.scottgustafson.com
The last artist I’ll share today is Scott Gustafson.
I discovered his work while researching this article, and I was enthralled.
There is so much life and color in these illustrations; the personalities of the characters shine right off the page. The style reminds me of the work of Norman Rockwell, one of my favorite artists of all time.
Scott Gustafson has had the opportunity to fulfill commissions for a number of varied clients and publishers, including everything from creating tea box artwork for Celestial Seasonings, to covers for The Saturday Evening Post, and character design for the popular kid’s TV show, Chugginton. But illustrating children’s books stands apart as his favorite creative outlet. His book titles include The Night Before Christmas, Peter Pan, Classic Fairy Tales, Favorite Nursery Rhymes from Mother Goose, Classic Bedtime Stories, and his novel for young readers, Eddie: The Lost Youth of Edgar Allan Poe, which he wrote and illustrated. His most recent title, Classic Storybook Fables, was released by Artisan, featuring favorite stories like Beauty and the Beast, The Ugly Duckling and The Emperor’s New Clothes. For more information and to see a portfolio of Scott’s images, please visit: www.scottgustafson.com
Which of these illustrators is my favorite? I couldn't tell you. If I were to buy another addition of Peter Pan right now, I’d likely end up with two: Scott Gustafson’s and Trina Schart Hyman’s.
It just goes to show there is no “right” Peter Pan. Each of these illustrators have left us a unique treasure, each as precious as the last, carrying forward the memory of our childhood hero, Peter Pan.
- Sites Referenced -
(1) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Donkin_Bedford - Wikipedia page of F. D. Bedford
(2)https://books.google.com/booksid=LfAFBAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
- The Dictionary of British Women Artists by Sara Gray
(3) http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2015/english-literature-history-childrens-books-illustrations-l15404/lot.224.html - Peter Pan illustration cards by Flora White (4) https://www.gutenberg.org/files/26654/26654-h/26654-h.htm - Peter Pan on Project Gutenberg
(3) http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2015/english-literature-history-childrens-books-illustrations-l15404/lot.224.html - Peter Pan illustration cards by Flora White (4) https://www.gutenberg.org/files/26654/26654-h/26654-h.htm - Peter Pan on Project Gutenberg
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