Randolph Caldecott (1846-1886) is considered to be one of the most important illustrators of children’s books during the Victorian era.  Caldecott was a prolific cartoonist, illustrator, and painter in oils who was very successful in his short lifetime.  Caldecott was a close friend of PreRaphaelite artists Frederick Leighton, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and JE Millais.

From North Italian Folk by Mrs Comyns Carr, illustrated by R Caldecott, 1878