Maurice GreiffenhagenRA (15 December 1862[1] – 26 December 1931[1]) was a British painter and Royal Academician. He illustrated books and designed posters as well as painting idyllic landscapes.
He was born inLondon. Exhibiting at theRoyal Academy of Arts from 1884, he was made an Associate Member in 1916 and a Royal Academician in 1922. From 1906 until 1926, he taught at theGlasgow School of Art.[1] Greiffenhagen exhibited at the first exhibition of theSociety of Graphic Art in 1921.
His friendship withH Rider Haggard led to him illustrating the author's popular adventure books, starting with an edition ofShe: A History of Adventure in 1889 – though Greiffenhagen apparently "disliked doing black-and-white work".[2] He illustrated the serialisation ofAyesha The Return of She (1904–05) and that ofThe Holy Flower (1913–14) in theWindsor Magazine.
He also illustrated a number ofEdgar Wallace'sSanders of the River books for theWindsor Magazine:The Keepers of the King's Peace (1916–17),Lieutenant Bones (1917–18) andSandi, The Kingmaker (1921).
Greiffenhagen's 1891 painting,An Idyll, inspiredD H Lawrence's novelThe White Peacock. The painting had "a profound effect" on the author, who wrote:
As for Greiffenhagen's 'Idyll', it moves me almost as if I were in love myself. Under its intoxication, I have flirted madly this Christmas.[3]
In 1910, Greiffenhagen illustrated a book of poems byCharles F. Parsons entitledSome Thoughts at Eventide.
Greiffenhagen also created distinctive commercial posters, including a colourful 1894 advertisement forPall Mall Budget magazine which "created a distinct sensation among the younger men" according to one contemporary periodical.[4] In 1924, he created "The Gateway of the North", one of the most popular travel posters in a series commissioned byLondon, Midland and Scottish Railway.[5]
