Published for the Brothers Dalziel by Messrs. Chapman & Hall.
Pickersgill made drawings for many of the fine art books produced under our care. He also made a series of large drawings on the subject of "The Lord's Prayer," the text of which was paraphrased in verse by Dean Alford; the book being published by Messrs. Longman & Co. He also contributed many beautiful drawings for our Bible Series.
A friend of Pickersgill, the Rev. T. J. Judkin, an eloquent preacher and clever amateur artist, and a pupil of Constable's, produced a Volume of Poems to which many of his artist friends contributed drawings, amongst whom were F. R. Pickersgill, R.A., W. Mulready, R.A., Clarkson Stanfield, R.A., E. M. Ward, R.A., and W. E. Frost, R.A., all of which we engraved for him.
F. R. Pickersgill, R.A., J. C. Hook, R.A., and W. E. Frost, R.A., formed a trio in their student days, working much together, and all illustrating the same subjects—chiefly passages from Spencer's "Fairy Queen," and Italian or Venetian History, basing their style very much upon the Early Italian School. Later in life a closer tie existed between two of these artists, Pickersgill marrying Hook's eldest sister.
Pickersgill told us a somewhat comical experience Hook had with the Council of "The Art Union of London," who were then procuring a set of drawings on wood by various artists. One subject having been entrusted to Hook, he sent his drawing in, and was asked to call at a stated time, which he did. He saw at once there was something wrong, as the gentlemen sat looking at each other. At last one mustered courage to speak, saying:
Fairy Dance. By W. E. Frost, R.A.
FROM A BOOK OF POEMS BY THE REV. T. J. JUDKIN.
"We like your drawing very much, Mr. Hook, but—er—doesn't it want colour?—er—where—er—where is your bit of black?"