Gorey’s Idles

I was reading an *interview with Edward Gorey today (from 1994) where he said, “By the way, I would cheerfully sell my soul to draw like some people. “

Clifford Rose: “Like whom?”

and, over the next few pages, Gorey lists his idles (most of whom were also named Edward). I’m just going to post pictures of their work, and let everyone contemplate how wonderful it is that Edward Gorey never actually had the opportunity to sell his soul and draw like them.

Gorey’s number one idle was Edward Bawdin:

He also admired Edward Ardizzone:

And then there was Pesanello:

And Balthus, and he specified the drawings for Wuthering Heights, which Gorey says, “As illustrations for Withering Heights, forget it. But they are just so compelling.”

While I love Edward Gorey’s personal taste, and I agree these are all fantastic illustrators, I don’t think any of them are as great as Edward Gorey himself. I might gladly sell my soul to draw like Edward Gorey.

• All quotes are from the book, The World of Edward Gorey by Clifford Ross and Karen Wilkin.