The Really Old History of book illustration
Arguably the earliest form of book illustration, being translating a narrative through drawing, would be the Rock paintings in the Chauvet Pont de Arc caves in southern France that dates back nearly thirty thousand years ago.
As writing systems developed and the earliest forms of ''books'' appeared. Illustrations can be seen within religious texts to aid in illustrating the dynamic world written. Throughout all history it seems that book illustration ''can help people of all ages understand words'', likely why they have
become so important in children's books.
Illustrated books can be considered a ''cultural need'' and has helped historians understand worlds of the past like the Rock paintings in Chauvet Pont de Arc.
Due to the new availability of printing and publishing, book illustration became a new popular embellishment in books. The Golden Age of book illustration is considered to be the first two decades of the 20th century.
Charles Dickens was an example of a author, closely instructing and using illustrations within his novels. His books were considered part of the Golden Age.
Book Illustration by the 1900s became very children's book based
Book illustration history goes beyond early children's books but can actually be seen in the earliest pieces of visual history
From the 20th century book illustration became gradually more associated with 'low-brow' and children's literature. Eventually resulting into a decline, likely why its quite difficult to find adult book illustrations today.