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For 150 years, Lewis Carroll’s iconic work Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland has remained in continuous publication. While John Tenniel’s illustrations are famously linked to the story and even influenced Disney’s adaptation, countless other artists have also ventured into portraying the whimsical and bizarre universe Carroll created.
Illustrating a beloved classic like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland requires artists to infuse their unique style while staying true to the story, says John Risseeuw, an emeritus art professor at Arizona State University. In preparation for a symposium celebrating the book’s anniversary, ASU researchers explored their library archives, uncovering a wealth of diverse artistic interpretations of Alice’s journey. Below are 9 notable artists who have reimagined the tale:
1. JOHN TENNIEL
This iconic illustration by Tenniel, featured in the 1865 first edition of the book, might look familiar to you.
2. SALVADOR DALI
Surprisingly, Salvador Dalí also ventured into illustrating Alice, and his surreal style aligns seamlessly with the story’s whimsical nature. The tea party scene, for instance, transforms into a melting clock, a hallmark of his artistic vision.
His illustrated edition was published in 1969.
3. DISNEY
These songbooks present a unique visual style, distinct from the animated film adaptation.
4. EMMA MCKEAN
The 1943 edition features interactive sliding panels that reveal a variety of illustrations.
5. IRENE COREY
The renowned theatrical designer crafted these sketches for an outdoor performance at the Dallas Theater Center.
The performance was presented as a mime production.
6. BARRY MOSER
Moser’s artwork earned the National Book Award for design and illustration in 1983.
His woodcut prints, created using unseasoned wood, exhibit small white cracks, adding a unique texture to depictions of characters like the White Rabbit and the Red Queen.
7. ROBERT SABUDA
This edition of Alice features intricate pop-up illustrations.
8. ARTHUR RACKHAM
A renowned illustrator of children’s books, Rackham released his interpretation of Wonderland in 1907, the very year the original copyright lapsed.
9. PETER NEWELL
Newell, known for his pencil drawings published in 1901, was also a skilled political cartoonist.
All images provided courtesy of Arizona State University
