Iris Evelina Margery Brooke, later Iris Giffard (15 January 1905 – 22 June 1981) was a British artist, author and book illustrator who, throughout her career, concentrated on exploring the history of costume.
Iris Brooke | |
|---|---|
| Born | Iris Evelina Margery Brooke 15 January 1905 Ryde, Isle of Wight, England |
| Died | 22 June 1981 (aged 76)[1] Teddington, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | |
| Known for | Artist, author, illustrator |
Biography
editBrooke was born at Ryde on the Isle of Wight in January 1905 and attended Bruntsfield High School on the island.[2] From 1923 to 1926 she studied at the Croydon School of Art and then at the Royal College of Art in London until 1929, where her teachers included Randolph Schwabe.[3] Throughout her subsequent career, Brooke created portraits in both oil and chalk but mainly concentrated on writing and illustrating books on historical costumes and fashion.[2][3][4] She also wrote articles for a number of journals and was elected a member of the Women's Press Club.[2]
In 1931, Brooke married Patrick Hopegood MacDowell but later divorced.[5] They had a son, Michael.[6] In 1944, she married William Hugh Giffard and the couple settled near Honiton in Devon.[2][3]
Books illustrated
edit- English Costume of the Nineteenth Century, 1929, by James Laver
- English Costume of the Eighteenth Century, 1931, by James Laver
- A Pageant of Kings and Queens, 1937, by Constance Mary Matthews & Charles Carrington
- Arpies and Sirens, 1942, by Susan Knowles.[2][4]
Books written and illustrated
edit- English Children's Costume Since 1775, 1930
- English Costume in the Age of Elizabeth, 1933
- English Costume of the Seventeenth Century, 1934
- English Costume of the Early Middle Ages, 1936
- A History of English Costume, 1937
- Western Europe costume and its relation to the theatre, 1939
- English Costume 1900–50, 1951
- Four Walls Adorned: Interior Decoration 1485–1820, 1952
- Pleasures of the Past, 1955
- English Costume of the Later Middle Ages, 1956
- Dress and Undress, 1958
- English Children's Costume Since 1775, 1958
- Costume in Greek Classic Drama, 1962
- Western European Costume and Its Relation to the Theatre, 1963
- Medieval Theatre Costume, 1967.[4][7]
References
edit- ^ England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858–1995
- ^ a b c d e Sara Gray (2019). British Women Artists. A Biographical Dictionary of 1000 Women Artists in the British Decorative Arts. Dark River. ISBN 978-1-911121-63-3.
- ^ a b c David Buckman (2006). Artists in Britain Since 1945 Vol 1, A to L. Art Dictionaries Ltd. ISBN 0-953260-95-X.
- ^ a b c Alan Horne (1994). The Dictionary of 20th Century British Book Illustrators. Antique Collectors' Club. ISBN 1-85149-1082.
- ^ England & Wales, Civil Registration Marriage Index, 1916–2005
- ^ "Iris Brooke". The Galion Inquirer. Galion, Ohio, USA. 24 June 1981. p. 4. Retrieved 20 May 2023.
- ^ "Brooke, Iris". OCLC WorldCat Identities. Retrieved 19 June 2020.