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Illustration, A Song of the English, Thames Embankment
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Illustration, A Song of the English, Thames Embankment
Illustration to A Song of the English, a patriotic set of poems by Rudyard Kipling (first published in the English Illustrated Magazine). Came the Whisper, came the Vision, depicting an Egyptian sculpture on the Embankment in London with an allegorical female figure in the clouds above. Date: first published 1893
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Media ID 14229438
© The Sharp Illustration Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library
Allegorical Allegory Apparition Colonialism Embankment Heath Imperialism Jingoism Jingoistic Kipling Orientalism Patriotic Patriotism Poem Poems Poetry Publication Robinson Rudyard Siecle Song Sphinx Symbolism Verse Vision Whisper
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A Song of the English - Came the Whisper, Came the Vision,
EDITORS COMMENTS
an exquisite illustration from Rudyard Kipling's patriotic poem series published in the English Illustrated Magazine in 1893, presents a captivating scene of the Thames Embankment in London. The illustration, a visual complement to Kipling's poetic verses, showcases an Egyptian sculpture standing proudly against the backdrop of the river Thames. The serene waters reflect the grandeur of the embankment, adorned with ornate buildings and lush greenery. Above the sculpture, an allegorical female figure in the clouds gazes down, her ethereal presence symbolizing the spirit of England. The whisper in the title alludes to the subtle yet powerful influence of the past, embodied by the ancient Egyptian sculpture, and the vision represents the enduring spirit of the English people. The late Victorian and Edwardian era, marked by the Fin de Siècle sensibility, was a time of colonial expansion and imperialistic fervor. Kipling's poems, including "A Song of the English," reflected the jingoistic sentiments of the period, celebrating the British Empire and its cultural and historical heritage. The illustration, with its Orientalist influences, further emphasizes the Eastern and Middle Eastern connections to the British Empire. The Sphinx-like figure of the Egyptian sculpture and the Orientalist depiction of the female apparition in the clouds underscore the pervasive influence of Orientalism during this period. This evocative illustration, a testament to the artistic and literary achievements of the 1890s, continues to captivate viewers with its rich symbolism and allegorical representation of the English spirit.
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