RICKETTS, Charles
Charles de Sousy Ricketts was an English painter, graphic artist, artist craftsman, known for his work as a book designer and typographer and for his costume and scenery designs for plays and operas. He grew up in France and moved to England in 1879, where he started an apprenticeship with a wood engraver and cutter in London. There he met William Morris and joined the Pre-Raphaelite circle. From 1889 to 1897 Ricketts and Charles Shannon (1863-1937) published the Art Nouveau periodical The Dial.
In 1896 the two friends set up the Vale Press, a printing works that specialized in luxury book editions for which Ricketts did many of the illustrations. He also worked for the magazine The Hobby Horse and in 1922 became a member of the Royal Academy.
In his graphics, Ricketts developed his own style, with generous curved lines akin to French Art Nouveau, although one can also clearly detect the influence of Aubry Vincent Beardsley.
Ricketts was also successful with his stage sets and metalwork.