Through his instantly recognisable illustrations, adored by children and adults alike, Quentin Blake helped bring the stories of Roald Dahl to life for generations to come.
Through his instantly recognisable illustrations, adored by children and adults alike, Quentin Blake helped bring the stories of Roald Dahl to life for generations to come. He has also authored and illustrated many popular picture books of his own. Now he’s drawing both his and Dahl’s treasured characters once again.
A Dozen New Drawings of Old Friends: A Fundraising sale for Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, which runs from 4 – 14 March on bonhams.com, will see some of Blake’s most well-known Dahl characters come back to life, as well as some of his own beloved creations.
Catherine King, Bonhams Head of Sale, commented: “Quentin Blake is one of the world’s most loved illustrators, and, for many, his work was first introduced to them through his drawings of Roald Dahl’s famous children’s characters.
It is a real privilege to be able to offer these new drawings of old friends, bringing together once again the genius of Quentin Blake and Roald Dahl, all in aid of a good cause. Not only that, but Blake has also re-drawn some of his own most beloved original characters, giving this sale a real sense of all the fictional friends that we are so grateful Quentin has shared with us.”
Lindsey Glen, Director of Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, said: “It’s exciting to see Quentin bring these well-known, beloved characters back to life after so many years. The auction of these 12 very special drawings will support the campaign for a permanent national centre for illustration – a project that sprung from Quentin’s vision for a place where people could come to examine visual storytelling and communication.
Opening in Clerkenwell next year, the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration will offer exhibitions of illustration from around the world, community and schools programmes, and a home for Quentin’s extraordinary 40,000-work archive.”
