The artistic career of Edmund Dulac shifted from the mass production of lavishly illustrated fairy tales to the precise engineering of national postage stamps. Born in Toulouse in 1882, he moved from a brief study of law in France to a prominent position within the London art scene, establishing himself as a versatile graphic artist and painter during the early twentieth century.
Transition to London and Early Success
After abandoning his legal studies at the University of Toulouse, Dulac pursued formal art education at the École des Beaux-Arts and the Académie Julian. By 1905, he arrived in London and secured a commission from J. M. Dent to illustrate the collected novels of the Brontë sisters. His integration into the London Sketch Club allowed him to connect with key publishers, leading to a long-standing collaboration with the Leicester Galleries and Hodder & Stoughton. This partnership facilitated the annual publication of high-quality gift books, including Stories from the Arabian Nights in 1907 and William Shakespeare's The Tempest in 1908.
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Dulac produced a string of highly regarded volumes during his most active years, such as The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam and The Bells and Other Poems by Edgar Allan Poe. These works cemented his association with the Golden Age of Illustration and the stylistic influence of Orientalism. His technical skill extended to relief projects during World War I, where he contributed to charitable publications like King Albert's Book and authored his own Picture-Book for the French Red Cross.
Diversification of Graphic Practice
The post-war decline of the deluxe illustrated book forced a change in focus. Dulac applied his design expertise to caricatures for The Outlook, costume and set designs for the Mercury Theatre, and general graphic commissions including chocolate boxes and bookplates. He maintained a consistent output for magazines such as The American Weekly and Country Life. During this period, he cohabited with the writer Helen Beauclerk, frequently using her as a model for his work and illustrating her novels, including The Green Lacquer Pavilion.
Philatelic and Currency Design
Dulac became a naturalised British citizen in 1912, a status that facilitated his significant contributions to state-sponsored design projects. He created the head of King George VI for the 1937 coronation stamps and designed values for the arms series definitives. During World War II, he produced banknotes and stamps for Free France. He was also involved in the early design phase of the Queen Elizabeth II definitive stamps, specifically the frame elements for the Wilding series, although he died on May 25, 1953, while working on his final book commission.
Fast facts
- Born: 1882, Toulouse
- Died: 1953, London
- Naturalised British citizen: 17 February 1912
- Notable work: Stories from the Arabian nights
- Primary occupations: illustrator, painter, postage stamp designer
- Education: Académie Julian, École des Beaux-Arts de Toulouse
- Partner: Helen Beauclerk
Questions readers ask
Did Edmund Dulac design stamps for Queen Elizabeth II?
Yes, he designed the frame for the Wilding series definitive stamps and the 1s 3d coronation stamp.
What was his role during World War II?
He designed banknotes and postage stamps for Free France and prepared a 20-zlotych note for the Polish Government in Exile.
Achievements
- Notable work: Stories from the Arabian nights
- Movement: Orientalism and Golden Age of Illustration
