Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám (1909)

 

Illustrated by Edmund Dulac

 

 

 

Rubáiyat of Omar Khayyám was originally composed by a mid-11th Century Iranian

astronomer, mathematician and poet - Ghiyathuddin Abulfath Omar bin Ibrahim

Al-Khayyami. Fitgerald's Victorian-era adaptation of the original work was based upon

his own translation of a Persian manuscript held by the Bodleian Library. Fitzgerald

himself made no claims to producing a literal translation of the original text, declaring

his own version:

"very unliteral it is. Many quatrains are mashed together:

and something lost, I don't doubt, of Omar's simplicity".

Despite Fitzgerald's own inglorious comments, his version of these classic tales from

Persia has become recognised as one of the greatest pieces of Victorian literature. Indeed,

the consistent message of the tale - namely, to live life to the fullest whilst enjoying a

drop or more of wine - became the inspiration for many Victorian-era artists, including

Oscar Wilde and Aubrey Beardsley.

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Cover for ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald and illustrated by Edmund Dulac

On the left, we show a rare copy of Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám

(as translated by Edward Fitzgerald) and illustrated by Edmund Dulac,

produced by Hodder & Stoughton (London) in 1909.

 

This example retains the original Limited Edition decoratively gilt-stamped

vellum cover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The illustrations prepared by Dulac have been arranged in reference to one of a number of translations of this epic

poem undertaken by Fitzgerald (one that is known to date from 1868).

 

The review published in The Studio (January 1910) provides a lovely introduction to Dulac's artwork:

 

Those of us who have followed the successful career of Mr Edmund Dulac are convinced

that few European artists living at the present time are better qualified to illustrate Omar's

Rubáiyat, and we have therefore awaited with interest the appearance of the work. His

drawings for the edition of The Arabian Nights, published a year or two ago, showed him

to be in complete sympathy with Eastern legend, and to possess and aptitude for absorbing

all its mystery and romance. Admirable as that series was, he has surpassed it in the set of

drawings for the Rubáiyat just published. Here he has surrendered himself to the influence

of the great Persian poet, whose immortal work has inspired him to produce some delightful

illustrations in which he has been able to give full play to his great individual talents. His

fertile imagination, his fine sense of design, his unerring draughtsmanship and his harmonious

blending of rich and beautiful colours are displayed at their best, while, almost without

exception, the drawing reveal that dignified restraint so characteristic of his art. The frontispiece,

"Heav'n but the Vision of fulfill'd desire", is a charming study in blues and mauves; while

amongst the other drawings, "Here with a little Bread beneath the Bough", "And one by one

crept silently to rest", "And hidden by the sleeve of Night and Morn", "Oh, plagued no more

with Human or Divine" and "Oh Thou, who Man of baser Earth didst make" are worthy to

rank with the best work Mr Dulac has given us. The volume is excellently produced in every

respect, and should enjoy a well deserved success.

 

 

Our Greeting Cards and Fine Art Posters

 

 

Greeting Card sample showing an Edmund Dulac illustration from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald

For connoisseurs of Dulac's work, we have prepared sets of 20 Greeting Cards displaying each of his illustrations for Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám and on the left, we show an example of how these Greeting Cards appear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Code: ED ROK CS(20)
Price: US$100.00

 

When presented on Greeting Cards, these images are prepared as tipped-on plates -

in hommage to the hand-crafted approach typical of prestige illustrated publications

produced in the early decades of the 20th Century. Each card is hand-finished and

the images are presented on Ivory card stock with an accompanying envelope. The

rear of each card carries information about Edmund Dulac, this wonderful suite

and the profiled illustration - we have left the interior of the cards blank so that you

may write your own personal message.

 

Should you wish to order a reproduction print of one or more of these images,

we have provided some options below. Each of our Fine Art Posters is prepared

with archival quality papers and inks - and also accompanied by information about

Edmund Dulac, this suite and the profiled illustration.

 

To purchase, simply click on the appropriate "Add to Cart" button and you will be

taken through to our Shopping Cart secured through PayPal. Multiple purchases will

be consolidated by that feature and shipping and handling costs to any destination

in the world are accommodated by our flat-rate fee of US$20 for every US$200

worth of purchases.

 Fine Art Poster sample showing an Edmund Dulac illustration from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald

 

An example of one of our Fine Art Posters

in a superb 22x36'' format

 

Of course, should you wish to discuss some customised options, we welcome your contact on any matter through

ThePeople@SpiritoftheAges.com.

 

In the meantime, enjoy perusing these wonderful images from Edmund Dulac.

 

 

The colour illustrations

 

Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 1st Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 11th Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 12th Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 15th Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald

The 1st Quatrain

Wake! For the Sun behind yon Eastern height

Has chased the Session of the Stars from Night;

And, to the field of Heav'n ascending, strikes

The Sultán's Turret with a Shaft of Light

 

 

The 11th Quatrain

With me along the strip of Herbage strown

That just divides the desert from the sown,

Where name of Slave and Sultán is forgot -

And Peace to Máhmúd on his golden Throne!

The 12th Quatrain

Here with a little Bread beneath the Bough,

A Flask of Wine, a Book of Verse - and Thou

Beside me singing in the Wilderness -

Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow!

The 15th Quatrain

Look to the blowing Rose about us - "Lo,

Laughing," she says, "into the world I blow:

At once the silken tassel of my Purse

Tear, and its Treasure on the Garden throw."

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 1 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 2 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 3 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 4 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 
Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 20th Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 22nd Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 27th Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 36th Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald

The 20th Quatrain

The Palace that to Heav'n his pillars threw,

And Kings the forehead on his threshold drew -

I saw the solitary Ringdove there,

And "Coo, coo, coo," she cried; and "Coo, coo, coo."

 

 

The 22nd Quatrain

For some we loved, the loveliest and the best

That from his Vintage rolling Time has prest,

Have drunk their Cup a Round or two before,

And one by one crept silently to rest

The 27th Quatrain

Alike for those who for To-DAY prepare,

And those that after some To-morrow stare,

A Muezzin from the Tower of Darkness cries,

"Fools! your Reward is neither Here nor There!"

The 36th Quatrain

Earth could not answer: nor the Seas that mourn

In flowing Purple, of their Lord forlorn;

Nor Heaven, with those eternal Signs reveal'd

And hidden by the sleeve of Night and Morn

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 5 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 6 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 7 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 8 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 
Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 40th Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 44th Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 46th Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 55th Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald

The 40th Quatrain

For I remember stopping by the way

To watch a Potter thumping his wet Clay:

And with its all-obliterated Tongue

It murmur'd - "Gently, Brother, gently, pray!"

 

 

The 44th Quatrain

Do you, within your little hour of Grace,

The waving Cypress in your Arms enlace,

Before the Mother back into her arms

Fold, and dissolve you in a last embrace

The 46th Quatrain

So when at last the Angel of the drink

Of Darkness finds you by the river-brink,

And, proffering his Cup, invites your Soul

Forth to your Lips to quaff it - do not shrink

The 55th Quatrain

Oh, plagued no more with Human or Divine,

To-morrow's tangle to itself resign,

And lose your fingers in the tresses of

The Cypress-slender Minister of Wine.

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 9 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 10 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 11 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 12 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 
Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 57th Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 60th Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 68th Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 70th Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald

The 57th Quatrain

You know, my Friends, how bravely in my House

For a new Marriage I did make Carouse:

Divorced old barren Reason from my Bed,

And took the Daughter of the Vine to Spouse

 

 

The 60th Quatrain

And lately, by the Tavern Door agape,

Came shining through the Dusk an Angel Shape

Bearing a Vessel on his Shoulder; and

He bid me taste of it; and 'twas - the Grape!

The 68th Quatrain

The Revelations of Devout and Learn'd

Who rose before us, and as Prophets burn'd,

Are all but Stories, which, awoke from Sleep

They told their fellows, and to Sleep return'd

The 70th Quatrain

But that is but a Tent wherein may rest

A Sultan to the realm of Death addrest;

The Sultan rises, and the dark Ferrásh

Strikes, and prepares it for another guest

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 13 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 14 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 15 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 16 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 
Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 72nd Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 88th Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 104th Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald Edmund Dulac - illustration for 'The 110th Quatrain' from ''Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam'' (1909), translated by Edward Fitzgerald

The 72nd Quatrain

Heav'n but the Vision of fulfill'd Desire,

And Hell the Shadow of a Soul on fire,

Cast on the Darkness into which Ourselves,

So late emerg'd from, shall so soon expire

(Frontispiece)

 

 

The 88th Quatrain

And that inverted Bowl we call The Sky,

Whereunder crawling coop'd we live and die,

Lift not your hands to It for help - for It

As impotently rolls as you or I

The 104th Quatrain

Yet Ah, that Spring should vanish with the Rose!

That Youth's sweet-scented manuscript should close!

The Nightingale that in the branches and,

Ah whence, and whither flown again, who knows?

The 110th Quatrain

And when Yourself with silver Foot shall pass

Among the Guests Star-scatter'd on the Grass,

And in your joyous errand rench the spot

Where I made One - turn down an empty Glass!

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 17 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 18 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 19 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00

 

 

Fine Art Poster (11x18'')

Code: ED ROK 20 (11x18)
Price: US$60.00