Charles Ricketts

Charles Ricketts born 2 October 1866 (d. 1931)

Charles De Sousy Ricketts was an English artist and designer, best known for his work as a book designer and typographer from 1896 to 1904 with the Vale Press, and his work in the theatre as a set designer.

He was born in Geneva to a French mother and an English father. He grew up mainly in France and Italy. He began his studies in art at the City and Guilds Technical Art School in Lambeth, in 1882, after both his parents had died.

There he met Charles Shannon, painter and lithographer, who would be his lifelong partner in both his artistic and personal life. Choosing to settle in England rather than abroad, they founded The Dial, a magazine, which had five issues from 1889 to 1897, and the Vale Press, named after their house, The Vale in Chelsea, London.

Ricketts was one of two illustrators of Oscar Wilde's work, the other being Aubrey Beardsley who worked on Salomé. He and Shannon were friends and supporters of Wilde.

It was in the work of the Vale Press that Ricketts would find his talents were best employed.

After 1902, he became a more serious painter and sculptor. He also wrote on art, was a collector, and became a member of the Royal Academy in 1928. He designed sets for plays by Wilde, Bernard Shaw and Cecil Lewis; and also the revived Savoy Operas of the 1920s.

In January 1929 Shannon fell while hanging a picture. He never completely recovered his health or senses and remained an invalid until his death in 1937. Charles Ricketts died of heart failure in 1931.

[Painting of Charles Ricketts and Charles Shannon by Jacques-Emile Blanche]