Explore these never before seen photos from the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien:
A linguist who created the land of Middle Earth to give life to his invented languages, Tolkien also was a talented artist and mapmaker who illustrated his ideas.
The father of the modern fantasy genre, Tolkien died in 1973. His books became bestsellers, with more than 100 million copies ofTolkien’s art and writings went hand and hand, with illustrations serving as an an integral part of his creative process. Sometimes the words would inspire the artwork, and sometimes drawing a scene would move the narrative in new directions.
The author meticulously mapped out the world of Middle Earth to ensure the accurate movements of his large cast of characters., drawn so that Tolkien could accurately plot the action as he wrote book five ofby his son, Christopher Tolkien. Courtesy of the Tolkien Estate.The Hobbit, as well as drawings he made for his children, landscapes madef from life, and imagined abstractions. The artworks are each accompanied by detailed descriptions.
Tolkien drew two preparatory sketches and two finished drawings of the hall in Beorn’s house. They resemble the mead halls where Anglo-Saxon warriors would have gathered to feast, drink and sleep. Courtesy of the Tolkien Estate.The Hobbit. As Tolkien wrote a chapter titled “The Stairs of Cirith Ungol,” he stopped to sketch out the approach to the fortress. Courtesy of the Tolkien Estate.. This book was found by the Fellowship as they journeyed through the Mines of Moria.
, is further enhanced by the addition of a striking black and white border design. Courtesy of the Tolkien Estate., which translates as, “Now was the heart of the coiling beast stirred.” Tolkien studied and taught this epic poem throughout his career. Courtesy of the Tolkien Estate.