About this ebook
While Coming Down the Seine is more serious in tone and mood at times than Mr. Gibbing's last book, it loses none of its appeal because of that. The occasional pause for meditative comment or philosophic aside or discussion of the problems of painting takes nothing away from and, indeed, tends to enhance the characteristically gay tone. No opportunity for the humorous approach is ever missed, no opening for the apt story is lost, no 'character' ever fails to receive deft appreciation. From the source of the river to its mouth there can be few places worthy of note about which he does not find something interesting or amusing to relate, whether because of their historical importance, their artistic associations, their scenic peculiarities, or their local legends.
He has captured the 'atmosphere' of Paris with effortless ease—Paris of the bridges, the pavement cafes, the art schools, and the ateliers, Paris of Montparnasse, 'cité de toutes les gloires, citée de tous les dédains.' Recurring through the book are passages of descriptive writing of great beauty, rich in imagery. More than fifty wood engravings illuminate the pages.
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About the author
Robert Gibbings (1889-1958) was an Irish artist and author who was most noted for his work as a wood engraver and sculptor, and for his books on travel and natural history.
Born on March 23, 1889 in Cork County, Ireland, he grew up in the town of Kinsale where his father, the Rev. Edward Gibbings, was the rector of St. Multose Church. His mother, Caroline, was the daughter of Robert Day, Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland and president of The Cork Historical and Archaeological Society. Gibbings studied medicine for three years at University College Cork before taking up art studies, first under the painter Harry Scully in Cork and later at the Slade School of Art and the Central School of Art and Design.
As a founding member of the Society of Wood Engravers in 1920, he became a major influence in the revival of wood engraving in the twentieth century. He took over ownership of the Golden Cockerel Press in 1924, where his knowledge of a number of authors and the leading wood engravers of the day enabled him to publish modern texts as well as classic ones, including the four volume Canterbury Tales (1929-1931). He produced a number of books with his own wood engravings at the press, the highpoints being The True History of Lucian (1927) and Lamia by John Keats (1928), and illustrated extensively for other publishers.
In 1934 he completed Beasts and Saints by Helen Waddell and Glory of Life by Llewelyn Powys, marking the beginning of a period as an author illustrator. He was commissioned by Penguin to write a travel book, and was later appointed art director of a new series of Penguin Illustrated Classics. As well as writing his own books, he also continued to produce wood engravings for other commissions.
In 1936 he became a sessional lecturer in typography, book production and illustration at Reading University.
Gibbings died in Oxford on January 19, 1958, aged 68.
