Art, Myth & Old Masters · 19th century
€ 160
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Original chromolithograph on lightly toned wove paper. A few faint foxing spots in the margins, image area bright and clean. Paper is strong and in very good condition.
Bill Sikes from Oliver Twist – Victorian Character Print by “Kyd” after Dickens
This striking chromolithograph from circa 1889 features the infamous character Bill Sikes, the brutal villain from Charles Dickens’s classic novel Oliver Twist (1837–39). Illustrated by Joseph Clayton Clarke—better known as “Kyd”—this portrait forms part of his celebrated series of Dickens characters, published by Raphael Tuck & Sons in London, Paris, and New York.
Bill Sikes is one of Dickens’s darkest figures, a hardened criminal with a violent temper and a notorious reputation. In this illustration, Kyd masterfully captures the character’s rough demeanor and streetwise style: his pose is tense and defensive, his expression brooding, with dark eyes beneath a battered top hat. He wears a mismatched outfit—a striped shirt, red neckerchief, black tailcoat, and tight breeches—with tall boots and a pewter tankard tucked into his belt, evoking his life of crime and tavern haunts. This is one of the more menacing portrayals in Kyd’s usually comic series, rendered with theatrical flair and rich chromolithographic color.
Clarke's Dickens illustrations were immensely popular in the late Victorian period and remain highly collectible. His ability to distill the essence of a character into posture, costume, and expression helped define how generations of readers visualized Dickens's world.
Condition report:
Original chromolithograph on lightly toned wove paper. A few faint foxing spots in the margins, image area bright and clean. Paper is strong and in very good condition.
Framing tips:
Frame with a black or dark mahogany wood frame to enhance the dramatic tone of the print. Use a cream or tan mat to offset the central figure and allow the vivid character illustration to pop. Excellent as a standalone piece or as part of a Dickens-themed wall gallery.
Technique: Chromolithograph
Artist: Joseph Clayton Clarke (“Kyd”)
Publisher: Raphael Tuck & Sons, London, Paris & New York
Date: Circa 1889
Sheet size: approximately 36.5 x 26.5 cm
Image size: approximately 27 x 18 cm
