A Midsummer-Night’s Dream (1908) – by William Shakespeare, illustrated by Arthur Rackham

This magnificent 1908 edition of Shakespeare’s beloved comedy is transformed into a visual feast through Arthur Rackham’s enchanting illustrations. Published by William Heinemann in London, the volume features 40 color plates and numerous pen-and-ink drawings that capture the play’s magical woodland atmosphere and mischievous fairy folk. Rackham’s ethereal style perfectly renders Puck’s gleeful chaos, Titania’s delicate majesty, and Bottom’s comic transformation, while his gnarled, anthropomorphic trees and moonlit glades create an immersive fairy realm. The illustrations balance Shakespeare’s comic and lyrical tones, making this one of the most celebrated interpretations of the play in book form.

This Rackham-illustrated edition remains the most coveted version of A Midsummer-Night’s Dream, prized equally by Shakespeare enthusiasts, art collectors, and lovers of fantasy illustration for its perfect marriage of literary and visual genius.

About the Illustrator
Arthur Rackham (1867-1939), the preeminent illustrator of Britain’s Golden Age of Book Illustration, brought his distinctive blend of whimsy and sophistication to this Shakespearean classic. His work for A Midsummer-Night’s Dream represents the pinnacle of his artistic maturity, showcasing his mastery of watercolor and his innovative use of silhouette effects. Rackham’s illustrations for this edition influenced generations of fantasy artists and stage designers, becoming the definitive visual interpretation of Shakespeare’s fairy world for much of the 20th century.

Recommended for Collectors

• The Tempest (1908) illustrated by Edmund Dulac – Another magical Shakespeare play with exquisite illustrations
• Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens (1906) by J.M. Barrie, illustrated by Rackham – Featuring similar fairy imagery
• The Arthur Rackham Book of Pictures (1913) – Showcasing the artist’s range in fairy tale illustration

Other Arthur Rackham’s illustrated works available in our gallery: Rip Van Winkle, Tales of Mystery and Imagination, Book of Pictures, The Night Before Christmas, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, Undine, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Peter Pan in Kensington Garden, The Ingoldsby Legends, Grimm’s Fairy Tales.

Art Gallery: Arthur Rackham – Midsummer’s Night Dream 1908