Alfred Crowquill Paintings

Alfred Crowquill was the pseudonym of Alfred Henry Forrester, an English artist, illustrator, and author known for his humorous and satirical work. Born on September 10, 1804, in London, Forrester adopted the name Alfred Crowquill as a nom de plume, under which he contributed to various periodicals and published a number of his own works.

Forrester began his career as a draughtsman and quickly gained recognition for his distinctive style. He combined his literary and artistic talents to produce illustrations for books and magazines. Among his contributions, he provided illustrations for Charles Dickens's magazine 'Household Words' and worked on 'Punch,' a British weekly magazine of humor and satire. His work was characterized by a whimsical and light-hearted approach, often accompanied by his own verses or stories.

Crowquill's illustrations were not limited to adult literature; he also made a significant impact on children's literature, providing images for fairy tales and children's books. His style, while playful, could also be intricate and detailed, appealing to both young audiences and adults. Beyond illustration, Crowquill was also involved in writing, and his texts often matched the wit and humor of his visual art.

During his lifetime, Alfred Crowquill was prolific in his output, and his work remained popular. He was known for his ability to capture the Victorian era's spirit through his art and for his contribution to the development of British satirical illustration. Despite the popularity of his work during his lifetime, Alfred Crowquill's name is not as widely recognized today as some of his contemporaries.

Alfred Henry Forrester, aka Alfred Crowquill, passed away on May 26, 1872. His work, however, continues to be of interest to collectors and scholars of Victorian illustration and satire, and his illustrations still appear in reprints of 19th-century literature.