Frank Brangwyn's illustrated Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (1910)

This edition of Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam is written by Omar Khayyam and translated by Edward FitzGerald. It was published by T.N. Foulis in 1910. It is illustrated by Frank Brangwyn. This edition is Seventy-one pages. The illustrations throughout this edition are pictures of parts of several oil paintings by Brangwyn, each illustration is accompanied by a cover page with a quote from the Rubaiyat to accompany the picture and a note with Frank Brangwyn’s name. The illustrations seem to be glued onto the pages sporadically through the book. The oil paintings are full of vivid…

Barbara Black makes an argument that the continued collection, translation, gifting, and redesign of The Rubáiyát reflects Orientalist tendencies. One of the biggest ways this happens is with the idea of ownership and power imbalance. In this situation, the power is given entirely to the West, those who are distributing and setting the stage for this collection. The west was completely in control of this book and the translations that it chose to distribute to its people. The west wanted to hold power over…

In this version of The Rubaiyát, there are a few different oil paintings inserted in, with an assigned passage to go with them. This is a really interesting way of the artist drawing connections between their work and the work of Khayyám. The image associated with stanza XI depicts two men, lounging under a tree, sharing food and drink, two things that are repeated throughout The Rubáiyát. Khayyam uses this image, associated with stanza XI in order to enlighten people on the importance of earthly comforts, happiness, and living in the moment. Looking at this stanza in…

Frank Brangwyn:

Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, London: Gibbings & Co, 1906

5 colour illustrations, cover and title page by Brangwyn

Between 1890-1948 Brangywn produced original illustrations for over 80 books. 

Originally, he did his illustrations and paintings for the money. It was a good way to make a livable income and it wasn't too much work for him. Many early works were produced cheaply to save him money. As his reputation got bigger, so did his interest in producing quality works of art. There turned out to be multiple…

My dearest Anne,

I saw this during my last trip to the city, its beauty reminded of you. The flaming heart on the front is like my heart, burning for you during these times apart. The gold accents painted around the whole piece light me up just like you do. There are these gorgeous oil paintings inside. I do think I like your paintings more. They remind me of the painting you did of the view of the field from the window. A flask of Wine, a Book of Verse—and Thou he says, can you imagine, Anne. The two of us relaxing under that old willow tree on the hill. Do you…