E. H. Shepard was a British artist and illustrator, best known for his drawings of Winnie the Pooh and Wind in the Willows. However, Shepard was also a prolific painter. He had exhibitions at the Royal Society of Artists, Birmingham, Glasgow’s Institute of Fine Arts, the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, the Manchester Art Gallery and at the Royal Academy in London.
Ernest H. Shepard, OBE., MC (1879-1976), ‘’Wind in The Willows’’, Toad escapes from Gaol, 1931
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Signed and inscribed with title
Watercolour and pencil
9 x 6½ in (23.2 x 16.9 cm)
This is one of the original drawings Ernest Shepard made for the 1931 edition of Kenneth Grahame’s classic book. Wind in the Willows was first published in 1908 with only a woodcut frontispiece, but following an introduction from A.A.Milne, author of Winnie-the Pooh, Shepard was bought in to create the illustrations which definitively define some of the best loved characters in British literature.
The scene shows the moment Toad giddy with excitement at his daring do escapes from the prison where he had been incarcerated for the stealing and reckless driving of cars. Disguised as a washerwoman he makes good his escape and following further adventures is re-united with his loyal friends Mole, Ratty and Badger. Grahame implored Shepard to respect his creations ‘’ I love these little people. Please be kind to them’’. This illustration is a wonderful example of Shepard’s empathy with the book and this is a truly glorious representation of Toady’s finest hour.