The Images of Beauty and the Beast through time
An Early Illustration of Beauty and the Beast
This image was based upon the retelling of the story by Robert Ford but also presents a very close similarity with the Beast which was presented within Madame de Villeneuve original tale. The ferocity and ability to really scare Beauty's father which can all be seen within this painting matches the description of the Beast which Madame Villeneuve writes within her tale. The trunk is again seen in the image, but the scales which are also mentioned in Madame Villeneuve are once again not seen in this painting. This painting's purpose is to present the Beast as he was at the beginning of the tale, before he began to feel compassion and love for Beauty.
Walter Crane (1874)
This illustration is based upon Madame Villeneuve's story as demonstrated by the depiction of the Beast. This shows the beast to be wild still, yet the clothing which he wears allows observers to notice his wealth as well as his domestic features. The artist's illustration also shows the Beast's ability to be civilised and social.
Madame de Beaumont and Robin McKinley's versions of the tale could very well match the Beast seen from this painting but not Madame Villeneuve's tale where the Beast is portrayed rather more vicious and fearful. The trunk of the Beast seen in this image does however reflect this characteristic highlighted in Villeneuve's tale.
The artist, Walter Crane is well known for his ability to create illustrations of children's literature, but also allowing his illustrations to be suitable for adults too, as seen by the sophisticated setting which this illustration is created within. The image itself has become very popular when regarding Beauty and the Beast and is presented in numerous books including Betsy Hearne's Beauty and the Beast: Visions and Revisions of an Old Tale.
Madame de Beaumont and Robin McKinley's versions of the tale could very well match the Beast seen from this painting but not Madame Villeneuve's tale where the Beast is portrayed rather more vicious and fearful. The trunk of the Beast seen in this image does however reflect this characteristic highlighted in Villeneuve's tale.
The artist, Walter Crane is well known for his ability to create illustrations of children's literature, but also allowing his illustrations to be suitable for adults too, as seen by the sophisticated setting which this illustration is created within. The image itself has become very popular when regarding Beauty and the Beast and is presented in numerous books including Betsy Hearne's Beauty and the Beast: Visions and Revisions of an Old Tale.
Mercer Mayer (1978)
This illustration of Beauty and the Beast shown within the book Beauty and the Beast by Marianna
Mayer captures Beauty's love for the Beast. It also shows the internal virtues of Beauty through her gently and caring nature holding the Beast as his life is weak.
This illustration once again presents the gentle side of the Beast as well the domestic and caring side of Beauty. Madame Villeneuve's version of the tale is once again not a basis of this image because the Beast is not frightening or ferocious. The Beast created by Mayer is not a recognisable creature like it is in Crane's illustrations and is the image which the Disney character offers many similarities with.
The artist is also a writer of children's literature which therefore gives him credibility when providing images to help represent this tale.
Mayer captures Beauty's love for the Beast. It also shows the internal virtues of Beauty through her gently and caring nature holding the Beast as his life is weak.
This illustration once again presents the gentle side of the Beast as well the domestic and caring side of Beauty. Madame Villeneuve's version of the tale is once again not a basis of this image because the Beast is not frightening or ferocious. The Beast created by Mayer is not a recognisable creature like it is in Crane's illustrations and is the image which the Disney character offers many similarities with.
The artist is also a writer of children's literature which therefore gives him credibility when providing images to help represent this tale.