Kenny Meadows
Encyclopedia
Joseph Kenny Meadows, better known as Kenny Meadows, was a British caricaturist
and illustrator
. He is best known for the drawings that he contributed to Punch
and for his illustrations of scenes from Shakespeare's plays
. Much of his work was drawn in a humorous bohemian
style. He was well known for the quality of his illustrations, although the critical reception of his work was often mixed.
and Leigh Hunt. He also contributed to The Illuminated Magazine, which was edited by Jerrold as well. In addition, he drew several illustrations for the Christmas editions of Illustrated London News.
Meadows became a prominent artist due to his work for Punch. He contributed fourteen total drawings to the paper. They were published in 1843 and 1844, appearing in the first through the seventh volumes. He worked very closely with John Leech while they were employed there. At the time that he first began working for Punch he was one of its oldest contributors.
William Powell Frith
once described him as "perhaps the best" of Punch's early illustrators. Other critics have stated that the quality the work that he produced varied. His drawings were hailed by some commentators more thoughtful than the typical burlesque treatments the subjects of his drawings often received. Others have faulted his work for a lack of humour and inventiveness. He was often noted, however, for the youthful enthusiasm he had toward drawing.
His drawings often included the depiction of a butterfly at the mouth of a cannon, which symbolisied peace. A similar design was used by Sir Edwin Henry Landseer
in a painting, and some have attributed this similarity to Meadows' influence on Landseer.
Meadows often read Shakespeare and memorised many passages. He published a volume of illustrated scenes from Shakespeare in 1843. Though he and several of his friends considered this work to be his masterpiece, some reviewers criticised his interpretations of several characters. It was particularly well received in Germany, however. He continued working on depictions of scenes from Shakespeare for his entire life.
. Although his first name was Joseph, he listed his name as Kenny Meadows in professional use. He lived in Camden Town
for much of his life. He was married to the sister of Archibald Henning
, a fellow artist who contributed to Punch. Meadow's wife was very frugal, and he allowed her to run the household's finances. Their daughter married James Hannay
, who wrote for Punch in the 1850s.
Meadows, who was known to be very outgoing and a night owl
, spent much of his time visiting with friends and drinking gin
. He was a friend of many prominent writers, including Charles Dickens
, Henry Vizetelly
and William Godwin
.
Caricature
A caricature is a portrait that exaggerates or distorts the essence of a person or thing to create an easily identifiable visual likeness. In literature, a caricature is a description of a person using exaggeration of some characteristics and oversimplification of others.Caricatures can be...
and illustrator
Illustrator
An Illustrator is a narrative artist who specializes in enhancing writing by providing a visual representation that corresponds to the content of the associated text...
. He is best known for the drawings that he contributed to Punch
Punch (magazine)
Punch, or the London Charivari was a British weekly magazine of humour and satire established in 1841 by Henry Mayhew and engraver Ebenezer Landells. Historically, it was most influential in the 1840s and 50s, when it helped to coin the term "cartoon" in its modern sense as a humorous illustration...
and for his illustrations of scenes from Shakespeare's plays
Shakespeare's plays
William Shakespeare's plays have the reputation of being among the greatest in the English language and in Western literature. Traditionally, the 37 plays are divided into the genres of tragedy, history, and comedy; they have been translated into every major living language, in addition to being...
. Much of his work was drawn in a humorous bohemian
Bohemianism
Bohemianism is the practice of an unconventional lifestyle, often in the company of like-minded people, with few permanent ties, involving musical, artistic or literary pursuits...
style. He was well known for the quality of his illustrations, although the critical reception of his work was often mixed.
Career
Meadows' first major project was Heads of the People in 1840. His acquaintance with Douglas Jerrold allowed him to become the illustrator of the project. Other contributors to the book included William Makepeace ThackerayWilliam Makepeace Thackeray
William Makepeace Thackeray was an English novelist of the 19th century. He was famous for his satirical works, particularly Vanity Fair, a panoramic portrait of English society.-Biography:...
and Leigh Hunt. He also contributed to The Illuminated Magazine, which was edited by Jerrold as well. In addition, he drew several illustrations for the Christmas editions of Illustrated London News.
Meadows became a prominent artist due to his work for Punch. He contributed fourteen total drawings to the paper. They were published in 1843 and 1844, appearing in the first through the seventh volumes. He worked very closely with John Leech while they were employed there. At the time that he first began working for Punch he was one of its oldest contributors.
William Powell Frith
William Powell Frith
William Powell Frith , was an English painter specialising in genre subjects and panoramic narrative works of life in the Victorian era. He was elected to the Royal Academy in 1852...
once described him as "perhaps the best" of Punch's early illustrators. Other critics have stated that the quality the work that he produced varied. His drawings were hailed by some commentators more thoughtful than the typical burlesque treatments the subjects of his drawings often received. Others have faulted his work for a lack of humour and inventiveness. He was often noted, however, for the youthful enthusiasm he had toward drawing.
His drawings often included the depiction of a butterfly at the mouth of a cannon, which symbolisied peace. A similar design was used by Sir Edwin Henry Landseer
Edwin Henry Landseer
Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, RA was an English painter, well known for his paintings of animals—particularly horses, dogs and stags...
in a painting, and some have attributed this similarity to Meadows' influence on Landseer.
Meadows often read Shakespeare and memorised many passages. He published a volume of illustrated scenes from Shakespeare in 1843. Though he and several of his friends considered this work to be his masterpiece, some reviewers criticised his interpretations of several characters. It was particularly well received in Germany, however. He continued working on depictions of scenes from Shakespeare for his entire life.
Personal life
Meadows was the son of a Naval officer and was born in CardiganCardigan, Ceredigion
Cardigan is a town in the county of Ceredigion in Mid Wales. It lies on the estuary of the River Teifi at the point where Ceredigion meets Pembrokeshire. It was the county town of the pre-1974 county of Cardiganshire. It is the second largest town in Ceredigion. The town's population was 4,203...
. Although his first name was Joseph, he listed his name as Kenny Meadows in professional use. He lived in Camden Town
Camden Town
-Economy:In recent years, entertainment-related businesses and a Holiday Inn have moved into the area. A number of retail and food chain outlets have replaced independent shops driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants have thrived, with the variety of culinary traditions found in...
for much of his life. He was married to the sister of Archibald Henning
Archibald Henning
Archibald Henning was a British illustrator best known for the illustrations that he drew for Punch. Before working for Punch, he first contributed drawings to The Town. This was a paper known for reporting on scandals that was owned by Renton Nicholson and was published from 1837 to 1840...
, a fellow artist who contributed to Punch. Meadow's wife was very frugal, and he allowed her to run the household's finances. Their daughter married James Hannay
James Hannay
James Hannay , was a Scottish novelist, journalist and diplomat.-Biography:Hannay was born at Dumfries, Scotland, and at age 13 joined the Royal Navy from which he was dismissed 5 years later....
, who wrote for Punch in the 1850s.
Meadows, who was known to be very outgoing and a night owl
Night owl (person)
Night owl is a term used to describe a person who tends to stay up until late at night. Another name for a night owl is evening person.The opposite of a night owl is an early bird, a lark as opposed to owl, someone who tends to begin sleeping at a time that is considered early and also wakes early...
, spent much of his time visiting with friends and drinking gin
Gin
Gin is a spirit which derives its predominant flavour from juniper berries . Although several different styles of gin have existed since its origins, it is broadly differentiated into two basic legal categories...
. He was a friend of many prominent writers, including Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
, Henry Vizetelly
Henry Vizetelly
Henry Richard Vizetelly was an English publisher, the son of a printer. He was early apprenticed as a wood engraver, and one of his first blocks was a portrait of Old Parr....
and William Godwin
William Godwin
William Godwin was an English journalist, political philosopher and novelist. He is considered one of the first exponents of utilitarianism, and the first modern proponent of anarchism...
.