Thursday, April 25, 2024

Osbourne's pictorial alphabet

To her royal highness Princess Alexandrina Victoria...This pictorial alphabet, combining the beauties of art with the first elements of instruction, is, by permission, respectfully dedicated; by her royal highness's humble servant Charles Osbourne, aged 16 at the time of making these series of designs.

For Art Thursday, images from Osbourne's pictorial alphabet (1835) by Charles Osbourne.

The letter F, "A Roman Soldier on the Battlements trying to corrupt the Garrison"

The letter G, "A Greek Galley, on the River Tiber, with Troops on board"

The letter J, "A Persian Magi, or Astrologer"

The letter N, "A Bearer of the Imperial Roman Eagle, wounded, leaning on his Spear"

The letter S, "An Emblematical Figure of Sin"

The letter Z, "The end of all things is Death"


1 comment:

Pop said...

These are fantastic...and by a 16-year-old, no less. And his "Z" image is an interesting (and somehow appropriate) way to end the alphabet.

I hope Queen Victoria appreciated them.