Pictures by J.R.R. Tolkien is a collection of selected artwork by J.R.R. Tolkien that were compiled by Christopher Tolkien and published by George Allen and Unwin on November 1 of 1979. The book includes a foreword and notes by Christopher Tolkien. The illustrations included in the collection had all previously appeared in a series of calendars published by George Allen and Unwin in 1973 and the years between 1975 and 1978. The book itself is inside a simple, dark-brown slipcover with the JRRT symbol.
In 1992, a second edition was published which included revised notes and a preface by Christopher Tolkien. Entries 22 and 24 were re-numbered as 23 and 24.
From the publisher[]
With Christopher Tolkien as your guide, take a tour through this colorful gallery of enchanting art by J.R.R. Tolkien, as published originally in the first groundbreaking Tolkien Calendars of the 1970s.
This collection of pictures, with a text by Christopher Tolkien, now reissued after almost thirty years, confirms J.R.R. Tolkien’s considerable talent as an artist. It provides fascinating insight into his visual conception of many of the places and events familiar to readers of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and The Silmarillion. Examples of his art range from delicate watercolors depicting Rivendell, the Forest of Lothlorien, Smaug, and Old Man Willow, to drawings and sketches of Moria Gate and Minas Tirith. Together they form a comprehensive collection of Tolkien’s own illustrations for his most popular books. Also included are many of his beautiful designs showing patterns of flowers and trees, friezes, tapestries, and heraldic devices associated with the world of Middle-earth. In their variety and scope, they provide abundant visual evidence of the richness of his imagination.
This enchanting gallery was personally selected by Christopher Tolkien who, through detailed notes on the sources for each picture, provides unique insight into the artistic vision of his father, J.R.R. Tolkien
Pictures[]
- The Hill: Hobbiton-across-the Water
- The Trolls
- The Three Trolls are turned to Stone
- Rivendell looking West
- Rivendell looking East
- Rivendell
- The Mountain-path
- The Misty Mountains looking West from the Eyrie towards Goblin Gate
- Bilbo Baggins woke with the early sun in his eyes
- Beorn's Hall
- The Elvenking's Gate (I)
- The Elvenking's Gate (II)
- Bilbo comes to the Huts of the Raft-elves (I)
- Bilbo comes to the Huts of the Raft-elves (II)
- Lake Town
- The Front Gate
- Conversation with Smaug
- Smaug flies round the Mountain
- Death of Smaug
- The Hall at Bag-End, Residence of B. Baggins Esquire
- Old Man Willow
- Doors of Durin and Moria Gate
- Leaves from the Book of Mazarbul
- Moria Gate (The Steps to the East Gate)
- The Forest of Lothlórien in Spring
- Helm's Deep and the Hornburg
- Orthanc and Minas Tirith
- Shelob's Lair
- Dunharrow
- Orodruin and Barad-dûr
- Halls of Manwe on the Mountains of the World above Faerie
- Lake Mithrim
- Nargothrond (I)
- Nargothrond (II)
- Gondolin and the Vale of Tumladen
- Tol Sirion
- Mirkwood Fangorn Forest
- Glórund sets forth to seek Túrin
- Polar bear had fallen from top to bottom onto his nose
- Three Dragons (1, 2, & 3)
- Trees (including "The Tree of Amalion")
- Flowering Tree with Friezes
- Patterns (I)
- Patterns (II)
- Floral Designs (including "Pilinehtar")
- Númenórean Tile and Textiles
- Heraldic Devices (with guide)
- Elvish Script (a, b, & c)