today's artist of the day

John Tenniel

In 1865, John illustrated the first edition of Alice in Wonderland. The edition, released in December of the same year but carrying an 1866 date, was quickly printed and became an instant best-seller, securing Tenniel's lasting fame in the process. His illustrations for both books (through The Looking Glass) have taken their place among the most famous literary illustrations ever made.

Tenniel's illustrations for the 'Alice' books were engraved onto blocks of wood, to be printed in the woodcut process.

In his career Tenniel contributed around 2,300 cartoons, innumerable minor drawings, double-page cartoons for Punch's Almanac. By 1885 he was earning a $7,000 annual salary for his weekly Punch cartoon-- the equivalent of more than $165,000 today. Tenniel was knighted in 1893.

Learn more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Tenniel