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Tolkien's World: Paintings of Middle-earth
If it is the author's job to paint word-pictures, few writers have accomplished the task more brilliantly than J.R.R. Tolkien, whose timeless fantasy classics have literally taken readers to another place.
And what a place it is! The Middle-earth so graphically depicted in The Hobbit, The Rings Trilogy, and The Silmarillion is a breathtaking world of misty valleys and craggy tors, placid lakes and raging rivers, steamy bogs and glad green glades -- a magical kingdom inhabited by such unforgettable characters as the Great Goblin, Smaug the dragon, and the great wizard Gandolf. Small wonder this wonderland has provided such a rich source of inspiration for artists!
In this book nine talented painters contribute powerful interpretations of Middle-earth, each one accompanied by the text that inspired it. Artists include Inger Edelfeldt, Tony Galuidi, Roger Garland, Robert Goldsmith, Michael Hague, John Howe, Alan Lee, Ted Nasmith, and Carol Emery Phenix. 8 1/4" x 11". Color illustrations..
144 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1992
19 people are currently reading
7878 people want to read
About the author
J.R.R. Tolkien
800 books78.2k followersJohn Ronald Reuel Tolkien: writer, artist, scholar, linguist. Known to millions around the world as the author of The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien spent most of his life teaching at the University of Oxford where he was a distinguished academic in the fields of Old and Middle English and Old Norse. His creativity, confined to his spare time, found its outlet in fantasy works, stories for children, poetry, illustration and invented languages and alphabets.
Tolkien’s most popular works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are set in Middle-earth, an imagined world with strangely familiar settings inhabited by ancient and extraordinary peoples. Through this secondary world Tolkien writes perceptively of universal human concerns – love and loss, courage and betrayal, humility and pride – giving his books a wide and enduring appeal.
Tolkien was an accomplished amateur artist who painted for pleasure and relaxation. He excelled at landscapes and often drew inspiration from his own stories. He illustrated many scenes from The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, sometimes drawing or painting as he was writing in order to visualize the imagined scene more clearly.
Tolkien was a professor at the Universities of Leeds and Oxford for almost forty years, teaching Old and Middle English, as well as Old Norse and Gothic. His illuminating lectures on works such as the Old English epic poem, Beowulf, illustrate his deep knowledge of ancient languages and at the same time provide new insights into peoples and legends from a remote past.
Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 1892 to English parents. He came to England aged three and was brought up in and around Birmingham. He graduated from the University of Oxford in 1915 and saw active service in France during the First World War before being invalided home. After the war he pursued an academic career teaching Old and Middle English. Alongside his professional work, he invented his own languages and began to create what he called a mythology for England; it was this ‘legendarium’ that he would work on throughout his life. But his literary work did not start and end with Middle-earth, he also wrote poetry, children’s stories and fairy tales for adults. He died in 1973 and is buried in Oxford where he spent most of his adult life.
Tolkien’s most popular works, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are set in Middle-earth, an imagined world with strangely familiar settings inhabited by ancient and extraordinary peoples. Through this secondary world Tolkien writes perceptively of universal human concerns – love and loss, courage and betrayal, humility and pride – giving his books a wide and enduring appeal.
Tolkien was an accomplished amateur artist who painted for pleasure and relaxation. He excelled at landscapes and often drew inspiration from his own stories. He illustrated many scenes from The Silmarillion, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, sometimes drawing or painting as he was writing in order to visualize the imagined scene more clearly.
Tolkien was a professor at the Universities of Leeds and Oxford for almost forty years, teaching Old and Middle English, as well as Old Norse and Gothic. His illuminating lectures on works such as the Old English epic poem, Beowulf, illustrate his deep knowledge of ancient languages and at the same time provide new insights into peoples and legends from a remote past.
Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, in 1892 to English parents. He came to England aged three and was brought up in and around Birmingham. He graduated from the University of Oxford in 1915 and saw active service in France during the First World War before being invalided home. After the war he pursued an academic career teaching Old and Middle English. Alongside his professional work, he invented his own languages and began to create what he called a mythology for England; it was this ‘legendarium’ that he would work on throughout his life. But his literary work did not start and end with Middle-earth, he also wrote poetry, children’s stories and fairy tales for adults. He died in 1973 and is buried in Oxford where he spent most of his adult life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
June 3, 2017
This is another Tolkien reference book which has been on one shelf or another in our home awaiting the big Lord of the Rings read-fest. Then when we finally started it a few months back—of course—it was not to be found.
It is not absolutely necessary to have supplementary references when one travels to Middle Earth, but it is so very nice. Afterall it is a very big place and supplementary references serve as armchair guides.
Tolkien’s World is also a visual delight, especially if you are an artist, have an artist’s eye or simply appreciate beautiful paintings.
There are nine artists featured in Tolkien’s World: Inger Edelfeldt, Tony Galuidi, Roger Garland, Robert Goldsmith, Michael Hague, John Howe, Alan Lee, Ted Nasmith and Carol Emery Phenix. Alan Lee’s work is featured on the front and back cover and he is my husband’s favorite. He is tied with Ted Nasmith as my favorites. The only reason he isn’t a clear winner for me is that his work tends to lack color and in my mind, Middle Earth is a brilliantly-colored place, with the exception of Mordor and the Mines of Moria, of course.
Alan Lee is the hands down best when it comes to detail and realism which is why he is Bear’s favorite. Ted Nasmith’s paintings are also very realistic, with a shade less refinement, but a richness in vivid hues which satisfies the eye.
All of the artists capture critical moments in The Hobbit, the trilogy of the The Lord of the Rings as well as a few of Tolkien’s other lesser known works: Thorin in front of the Elf counsel; Bilbo trading riddles with Gollum; the dragon, Smaug, awaking to discover his treasure gone; Bilbo drawing forth the Arkenstone; the Hobbits setting out from the Shire; Aragorn kissing the top of the head of the dying, repentant Boromir; Saruman revealing his true side to Gandalf; Queen Galadriel; Rivendell; Sam killing Shelob, and so much more!
All artists know the stories and are extremely talented. Which works you prefer will be a matter of your personal taste, but you can be assured of a nice variety and very high quality. Thumbing through Tolkien’s World is like walking through a Tolkien art gallery/exhibit.
It is not absolutely necessary to have supplementary references when one travels to Middle Earth, but it is so very nice. Afterall it is a very big place and supplementary references serve as armchair guides.
Tolkien’s World is also a visual delight, especially if you are an artist, have an artist’s eye or simply appreciate beautiful paintings.
There are nine artists featured in Tolkien’s World: Inger Edelfeldt, Tony Galuidi, Roger Garland, Robert Goldsmith, Michael Hague, John Howe, Alan Lee, Ted Nasmith and Carol Emery Phenix. Alan Lee’s work is featured on the front and back cover and he is my husband’s favorite. He is tied with Ted Nasmith as my favorites. The only reason he isn’t a clear winner for me is that his work tends to lack color and in my mind, Middle Earth is a brilliantly-colored place, with the exception of Mordor and the Mines of Moria, of course.
Alan Lee is the hands down best when it comes to detail and realism which is why he is Bear’s favorite. Ted Nasmith’s paintings are also very realistic, with a shade less refinement, but a richness in vivid hues which satisfies the eye.
All of the artists capture critical moments in The Hobbit, the trilogy of the The Lord of the Rings as well as a few of Tolkien’s other lesser known works: Thorin in front of the Elf counsel; Bilbo trading riddles with Gollum; the dragon, Smaug, awaking to discover his treasure gone; Bilbo drawing forth the Arkenstone; the Hobbits setting out from the Shire; Aragorn kissing the top of the head of the dying, repentant Boromir; Saruman revealing his true side to Gandalf; Queen Galadriel; Rivendell; Sam killing Shelob, and so much more!
All artists know the stories and are extremely talented. Which works you prefer will be a matter of your personal taste, but you can be assured of a nice variety and very high quality. Thumbing through Tolkien’s World is like walking through a Tolkien art gallery/exhibit.
August 24, 2022
This is a very short book to read- hence why it was read in an evening. The book consists of a series of artists each taking an event from the chronicles of middle earth and creating a whole page image while the opposing page quotes the paragraphs used to inspire the image. I guess like all art there are those artists you love and cannot get enough of and others where you can respect their creativity yet it still leave you unmoved or disinterested. this is the case with this book - some artwork is truly breath taking and to me epitomises Tolkien while others I struggle to see the connection to his works- hence why only 3 stars - and i suspect to many other reads its the same.
Well as an update there are times when I love at my bookshelves and there is a title that for some strange reason or other just screams out to be picked up and read again and this was one of them. One thing I would add to the comments above is that even though there are many artists showcased here there are some pieces where are so famous you just cannot do anything but recognise them. For me it is those pieces which where included the Collins classic collectors edition - a copy I have had in my collection for many years.
Well as an update there are times when I love at my bookshelves and there is a title that for some strange reason or other just screams out to be picked up and read again and this was one of them. One thing I would add to the comments above is that even though there are many artists showcased here there are some pieces where are so famous you just cannot do anything but recognise them. For me it is those pieces which where included the Collins classic collectors edition - a copy I have had in my collection for many years.
January 20, 2024
Il libro è una sorta di catalogo di immagini prese da i più influenti artisti che hanno voluto interpretare le opere di Tolkien, come il più conosciuto Alan Lee.
Accompagnano le illustrazioni, citazioni prese dai libri di Tolkien a cui si riferiscono. Non solo de "Lo Hobbit" e "Il Signore degli Anelli", ma anche de "Il Silmarillion" e altri.
Un'opera immancabile per gli estimatori dell'autore. Ogni illustratore/trice ha un suo personale tratto distintivo e soprattutto un'interpretazione particolare, direi unici.
Ne avrei volute, di illustrazioni, ancora di più, praticamente di ogni situazione possibile, ma sarebbe umanamente un'impresa titanica!
Da collezione!
Accompagnano le illustrazioni, citazioni prese dai libri di Tolkien a cui si riferiscono. Non solo de "Lo Hobbit" e "Il Signore degli Anelli", ma anche de "Il Silmarillion" e altri.
Un'opera immancabile per gli estimatori dell'autore. Ogni illustratore/trice ha un suo personale tratto distintivo e soprattutto un'interpretazione particolare, direi unici.
Ne avrei volute, di illustrazioni, ancora di più, praticamente di ogni situazione possibile, ma sarebbe umanamente un'impresa titanica!
Da collezione!
May 2, 2025
Absolutely amazing. 6/5 stars.
I always love to see how other people visualise Middle Earth besides the visuals we all know from Peter Jackson. This book contains artworks from various scenes of Tolkien's books: not just from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, but also from The Silmarillion and other works. The styles are varied and some of them really unique. At the end there is a page per artist where they relate their connection to Tolkien, and how they got the inspiration for their artworks. Most artists were unfamiliar to me, but of course Alan Lee is a famous one! Good to see his work in here as well. Perfect coffee table book!
I always love to see how other people visualise Middle Earth besides the visuals we all know from Peter Jackson. This book contains artworks from various scenes of Tolkien's books: not just from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, but also from The Silmarillion and other works. The styles are varied and some of them really unique. At the end there is a page per artist where they relate their connection to Tolkien, and how they got the inspiration for their artworks. Most artists were unfamiliar to me, but of course Alan Lee is a famous one! Good to see his work in here as well. Perfect coffee table book!
February 4, 2016
I'm not going to add this one to my challenge because it feels like cheating since it's like 88% paintings and very few words. But I loved it so much, some parts were so beautifully represented and exactly like I imagined them while reading, some weren't though. Like the hobbits that looked strange and whenever I imagine them I see them as adorable cinnamon rolls. I mean it. Hobbits for me have puppy eyes and amazing curls. (pass it on) Ohhh and Legolas had dark hair, hmm.
Beautiful book, I recommend it for people who love Tolkien and Middle Earth.
Beautiful book, I recommend it for people who love Tolkien and Middle Earth.
January 22, 2021
Beautiful, though I may be biased because I love everything middle-earth related.
April 30, 2019
Wow, some very nice renditions of characters and events in the Middle Earth stories. If you are a Tolkien fan then you will enjoy seeing his world come to life in these pictures. Recommended
February 6, 2012
Worth owning, if you're a Tolkien fan (sadly, I only borrowed it). It's full of reproductions of beautiful paintings. Not all of them capture my vision of Middle-earth, which is always a danger, but a surprising number of them do. Alan Lee's probably my favourite Middle-earth artist, but I liked Ted Nasmith, John Howe and Roger Garland most. Nobody quite gets hobbits just right, for me, though...
Includes mostly paintings of Middle-earth -- The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and The Lord of the Rings -- but also one of Smith of Wootton Major.
Includes mostly paintings of Middle-earth -- The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and The Lord of the Rings -- but also one of Smith of Wootton Major.
January 27, 2016
Peter Jackson's Tolkien movies are among my all-time favorites. But the downside to film is the way it locks certain images into the reader's imagination. This book of paintings was published before the movies came out, and it was wonderful and refreshing to see the different interpretations of what Peter Jackson first made me fall in love with.
May 1, 2021
“Per voler illustrare un mondo fantastico è necessario crederci.” Robert Goldsmith
“Illustrare le opere di J.R.R. Tolkien significa anzitutto operare delle scelte per decidere ciò che è meglio non illustrare, ciò che deve essere messo in ombra, o in distanza o in una pallida luce autunnale. Tolkien è un maestro dell'evocativo – le sue descrizioni hanno il potere di catalizzare l'attenzione del lettore e di provocarlo a richiamare alla mente il proprio pantheon di eroi e demoni per dare completezza alle immagini. Illustrare Tolkien significa porsi a confronto con queste realtà indistinte che differiscono in modo radicale da persona a persona. Illustrare Tolkien significa ancora procedere con cautela, intingere il pennello nell'ombra e ricavarne luce. Lotta ed equilibrio, lungo il difficile percorso di confine tra luce e ombra.” John Howe.
“L'opera è talmente ricca che ogni pagina riporta un avvenimento drammatico, meraviglioso o terrificante – ed alcuni brani sono talmente carichi di forza elegiaca e di meraviglia che ogni tentativo di riproduzione visiva non regge il confronto.
Tolkien è riuscito a creare un mondo la cui realtà va al di là dello scopo narrativo. Descrivendo in modo così portentoso paesaggi immaginari e fondamenti storici e mitici è riuscito a rendere la Terra di Mezzo accessibile ad ognuno per personali scorribande immaginative.” Alan Lee
Raccolta apprezzabile, con assaggi delle opere dei 'grandi' illustratori di Tolkien – Lee, Howe, Nasmith – e di altri artisti che hanno contribuito con la loro fantasia e il loro stile ad arricchire l'immaginario del lettore.
“Illustrare le opere di J.R.R. Tolkien significa anzitutto operare delle scelte per decidere ciò che è meglio non illustrare, ciò che deve essere messo in ombra, o in distanza o in una pallida luce autunnale. Tolkien è un maestro dell'evocativo – le sue descrizioni hanno il potere di catalizzare l'attenzione del lettore e di provocarlo a richiamare alla mente il proprio pantheon di eroi e demoni per dare completezza alle immagini. Illustrare Tolkien significa porsi a confronto con queste realtà indistinte che differiscono in modo radicale da persona a persona. Illustrare Tolkien significa ancora procedere con cautela, intingere il pennello nell'ombra e ricavarne luce. Lotta ed equilibrio, lungo il difficile percorso di confine tra luce e ombra.” John Howe.
“L'opera è talmente ricca che ogni pagina riporta un avvenimento drammatico, meraviglioso o terrificante – ed alcuni brani sono talmente carichi di forza elegiaca e di meraviglia che ogni tentativo di riproduzione visiva non regge il confronto.
Tolkien è riuscito a creare un mondo la cui realtà va al di là dello scopo narrativo. Descrivendo in modo così portentoso paesaggi immaginari e fondamenti storici e mitici è riuscito a rendere la Terra di Mezzo accessibile ad ognuno per personali scorribande immaginative.” Alan Lee
Raccolta apprezzabile, con assaggi delle opere dei 'grandi' illustratori di Tolkien – Lee, Howe, Nasmith – e di altri artisti che hanno contribuito con la loro fantasia e il loro stile ad arricchire l'immaginario del lettore.
June 25, 2025
This is absolutely beautiful, and if you're a Tolkien fan, then this is a real delight. Each painting illustrates a key moment from Tolkien's stories and is accompanied by a relevant passage of the text. Alan Lee is my favourite, closely followed by Ted Nasmith and John Howe, but drinking in any of these pictures is an enjoyable experience.
This is worthy of a place on my ever-expanding Tolkien shelf!
This is worthy of a place on my ever-expanding Tolkien shelf!
November 26, 2020
Ted Nasmith, John Howe and Alan Lee are especially brilliant. All of these artists in this book are so talented.
January 2, 2026
phenomenal work
isteyene pdf atarım
isteyene pdf atarım
September 30, 2023
Beautiful illustrations!
October 14, 2021
This book shows us some beautiful art from a group of talented artists who painted their scenes directly from the descriptions of Tolkien. Each piece is presented with an accompanying few passages of a related section of Tolkien's works. For example, the painting of the Balrog is coupled with a few paragraphs from Lord of the Rings where Gandalf tells the creature "you cannot pass". It's a great way of showing how just the story itself, the descriptions and spirit of the tales, can inspire people to create art.
There really are some great images in here, and depending on your tastes, they can vary in quality a bit. However there is something for everyone here, so no matter what preference of art style you like, you can be sure that you will find something amazing and interesting in this book.
Ultimately I think that's what this book really shows you. The way in which Tolkien inspired people. The fact that his imagination is so infectious, that it passes on to others, who then create art from his art. It's truly a tribute to not only the stories that Tolkien wrote, but to Tolkien himself.
There really are some great images in here, and depending on your tastes, they can vary in quality a bit. However there is something for everyone here, so no matter what preference of art style you like, you can be sure that you will find something amazing and interesting in this book.
Ultimately I think that's what this book really shows you. The way in which Tolkien inspired people. The fact that his imagination is so infectious, that it passes on to others, who then create art from his art. It's truly a tribute to not only the stories that Tolkien wrote, but to Tolkien himself.
October 8, 2018
What I didn’t like about the book:
- Artistic quality of its paintings: Most of the book’s paintings are relatively modest if I want to put it nicely! Some lack any art quality in them and some aren’t creative enough. Although to be fair, I should mention that it’s not always the case. Works of John Howe -and in a lesser extent Alan Lee, Robert Goldsmith and Ted Nasmith- are delightful to watch.
What I liked about the book:
- Visual version of Middle-earth: I believe that every fantasy book should be accompanied with lots and lots of drawings! It could help our imagination I think. So for me, it was a great experience to see a visual version of my favorite fantasy series. Artistic or not it put a nice picture on the texts.
- Being organized: Tolkien’s World have sections for The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King and The Silmarillion respectively. I liked it about the book. Also, each painting is accompanied by a relevant page of text from the books. I liked it too.
- Artistic quality of its paintings: Most of the book’s paintings are relatively modest if I want to put it nicely! Some lack any art quality in them and some aren’t creative enough. Although to be fair, I should mention that it’s not always the case. Works of John Howe -and in a lesser extent Alan Lee, Robert Goldsmith and Ted Nasmith- are delightful to watch.
What I liked about the book:
- Visual version of Middle-earth: I believe that every fantasy book should be accompanied with lots and lots of drawings! It could help our imagination I think. So for me, it was a great experience to see a visual version of my favorite fantasy series. Artistic or not it put a nice picture on the texts.
- Being organized: Tolkien’s World have sections for The Hobbit, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, The Return of the King and The Silmarillion respectively. I liked it about the book. Also, each painting is accompanied by a relevant page of text from the books. I liked it too.
June 14, 2010
If you (like me) have wonderful emotions tied to the work(s) of J. R. R. Tolkien I don't see how you can fail to love this book. Some of the paintings will (if you are a long time Tolkien fan or fantasy fan) probably be familiar. Some you will probably find more to your taste than others (Personally I find Alan Lee's work my favorite here), but all the paintings evoke Tolkien's world and its wonder.
February 6, 2016
Možná jsem čekala, že tady budou vypíchnuté jiné pasáže Tolkienových knih.
Daleko lepší pasáže.
Daleko lepší pasáže.
April 22, 2016
A nice collection for Tolkien fans. My only small complaint is I wish there were more artists presented.
November 15, 2025
Tolkien’s World: Paintings of Middle-earth (1992)
This beautifully curated volume gathers paintings of Middle-earth by artists such as Inger Edelfeldt, Tony Galuidi, Roger Garland, Michael Hague, John Howe, Alan Lee, Ted Nasmith, and others—many of the very illustrators who went on to define the visual language of Tolkien’s world for later generations.
When this book was published in 1992, I was twenty-one, studying art, poetry, and comparative religion, and reconnecting with the imaginative universe that shaped my childhood. Growing up in the 1970s, The Hobbit was a formative experience for me. My father read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings aloud to my brother and me, and these were formative experiences for me.
These paintings—many of which I saw when they were first released in books or calendars, etc.--were extremely important for how I would try to imagine the Tolkien's world, as were the miniatures companies would put out, etc.
From one image from these artists, you would either form or alter your imagination about Hobbiton or Rivendell or the Fields of Pelennor or Minas Tirith. Each artist offered a slightly different doorway into Tolkien’s imagination, and through those doors we built our own inner landscapes.
Revisiting these paintings now, after decades of cinematic interpretations—the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit films, and even The Rings of Power—is an interesting experience. It took me back to where I had the freedom to imagine more about these places in Tolkien's world.
It was a time where the appearance of each race and character and place had not been defined by Peter Jackson's truly monumental endeavor.
Of course, much of Jackson's Middle Earth was shaped by the great Tolkien artists John Howe and Alan Lee, and what they had done before in art was planted deep in many our consciousness long before the movies.
Tolkien’s World is more than an art book; it’s a time capsule of how our collective imagination once took shape through brushstrokes and watercolor. Looking through it now is both nostalgic and inspiring—a reminder of the deep well of creativity Tolkien opened for generations of readers, dreamers, and artists.
This beautifully curated volume gathers paintings of Middle-earth by artists such as Inger Edelfeldt, Tony Galuidi, Roger Garland, Michael Hague, John Howe, Alan Lee, Ted Nasmith, and others—many of the very illustrators who went on to define the visual language of Tolkien’s world for later generations.
When this book was published in 1992, I was twenty-one, studying art, poetry, and comparative religion, and reconnecting with the imaginative universe that shaped my childhood. Growing up in the 1970s, The Hobbit was a formative experience for me. My father read The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings aloud to my brother and me, and these were formative experiences for me.
These paintings—many of which I saw when they were first released in books or calendars, etc.--were extremely important for how I would try to imagine the Tolkien's world, as were the miniatures companies would put out, etc.
From one image from these artists, you would either form or alter your imagination about Hobbiton or Rivendell or the Fields of Pelennor or Minas Tirith. Each artist offered a slightly different doorway into Tolkien’s imagination, and through those doors we built our own inner landscapes.
Revisiting these paintings now, after decades of cinematic interpretations—the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hobbit films, and even The Rings of Power—is an interesting experience. It took me back to where I had the freedom to imagine more about these places in Tolkien's world.
It was a time where the appearance of each race and character and place had not been defined by Peter Jackson's truly monumental endeavor.
Of course, much of Jackson's Middle Earth was shaped by the great Tolkien artists John Howe and Alan Lee, and what they had done before in art was planted deep in many our consciousness long before the movies.
Tolkien’s World is more than an art book; it’s a time capsule of how our collective imagination once took shape through brushstrokes and watercolor. Looking through it now is both nostalgic and inspiring—a reminder of the deep well of creativity Tolkien opened for generations of readers, dreamers, and artists.
March 10, 2023
Tolkien eserlerinden güzel sahneler birçok sanatçı tarafından resimlenmiş. bazılarını sevdim, bazılarına bayıldım. kimi çizerlerin (bkz: Alan Lee sonrasında da John Howe) tüm eserlerine hayran kaldım.
February 28, 2020
Several artists share their vision of Middle Earth, but mostly it confirms what we already knew. Alan Lee was born to illustrate Tolkien.
September 9, 2022
A lovely assortment of Lord of the Rings artwork by various well known Tolkien painters.
December 16, 2012
Considering how lush and incredible the world of Middle Earth is, I found that this collection of artwork based on it to be lacking. It is obvious that the selection of paintings are quite dated, but that's not really an excuse for picking these drab pieces. The colours are especially disappointing, as it seems that many of the artists lack the understanding of natural light and colour unity. I was also less than impressed with many of their compositional and lineal styles, as fantasy illustrations have a potential to be extremely detailed, yet none of the artists took advantage of this!
August 8, 2018
All the paintings in this book were amazing! And the fact there's work from Alan Lee and John Howe, the two artists who worked on LOTR and The Hobbit films, is amazing! I love how it also includes a snippet from the books with the images.
November 28, 2020
Me gustó muuuuuucho.
June 2, 2018
Beautiful images and visions. Some offered me a new, imaginative, surprising and different view on the Tolkien's world.
February 2, 2026
In 1998 “Tolkien’s World: Paintings of Middle-Earth” was released by HarperCollins. The book features a large collection of painted illustrations that portray storylines in J.R.R. Tolkien’s exceptional novels. Michael Hague and Inger Edelfeldt with a team of seven other illustrators show in full page illustrations the themes of Tolkien’s famous novels. Tolkien’s nine written compositions and artist illustrations are from: 1) The Hobbit, 2) Fellowship of the Ring, 3) The Two Towers, 4) The Return of the King, 5) The Return of the Shadow, 6) The Book of Lost Tales (volumes 1 & 2), 7) The Smith of Wootton Major, 8) The Lost Road, and 9) The Silmarillion. The book begins with a brief biography of Tolkien’s life from 1892 to his death in 1973. He graduated from Exeter College, Oxford and he attended King George Edward’s School, Birmingham where he took courses in Classics literature, Anglo-Saxon language, and Middle English. He married Edith Bratt and they had four children. Tolkien served in the military and fought in the battle of the Somme. After the war he obtained a post on the New English Dictionary, wrote methodologies, and taught English at Leeds where he became a renowned professor. Later he became a Rawlinson-Bosworth Professor of Anglo-Saxon at Oxford. During his teaching career he wrote many stories about methodologies, and on “homely” topics like “The Father Christmas Letters.” His writings were very popular and cherished by readers throughout the world. The last chapter of the book features autobiographies written by the nine “Tolkien’s World” book artists. This book for me was a wonderful reading experience. (P
September 13, 2021
This book is a mixed bag of paintings from a variety of authors.
I say mixed bag, because there are some fantastic paintings there, but also some that do not do the world J.R.R. Tolkien wrote justice at all. Robert Goldsmith in particular comes to mind.
Now mind here: I'm not talking about the quality of the paintings (for I could not do them better), but of what they depict.
These scenes are often completely contradicting what Tolkien wrote in the books. Some examples:
- Black Riders in White/Light grey tunics. (also one where they just have a regular visible hand)
- Saruman of Many Colours looking like some evil dracula in a GREY robe.
- Hobbits that are supposed to look fair, but not handsome, looking like some sort of Goblin. (Nearly all authors it seemed struggled with this one when trying to give adult features to basically a child's face. Uncanny valley territory).
So yeah... awkward situations those.
The best one seems to me Alan Lee, for he depicts not the vivid book moments of which people already have a clear image, but the general scene with characters in smaller dimensions.
One great feature I do like about the book, is that it doesn't even only depict the Hobbit and LotR, but also the Silmarillion and even other works set in Middle-earth AND even works of Tolkien set outside of the Legendarium!
I say mixed bag, because there are some fantastic paintings there, but also some that do not do the world J.R.R. Tolkien wrote justice at all. Robert Goldsmith in particular comes to mind.
Now mind here: I'm not talking about the quality of the paintings (for I could not do them better), but of what they depict.
These scenes are often completely contradicting what Tolkien wrote in the books. Some examples:
- Black Riders in White/Light grey tunics. (also one where they just have a regular visible hand)
- Saruman of Many Colours looking like some evil dracula in a GREY robe.
- Hobbits that are supposed to look fair, but not handsome, looking like some sort of Goblin. (Nearly all authors it seemed struggled with this one when trying to give adult features to basically a child's face. Uncanny valley territory).
So yeah... awkward situations those.
The best one seems to me Alan Lee, for he depicts not the vivid book moments of which people already have a clear image, but the general scene with characters in smaller dimensions.
One great feature I do like about the book, is that it doesn't even only depict the Hobbit and LotR, but also the Silmarillion and even other works set in Middle-earth AND even works of Tolkien set outside of the Legendarium!
September 11, 2018
El Mundo de Tolkien: Pinturas de la Tierra Media no es un libro en sí, pero es una bonita curiosidad para los amantes del Legendarium del Profesor.
Esta es una recopilación de ilustraciones de muchos artistas de todo el mundo que han dedicado sus pinceles a plasmar lo que imaginaron al leer ciertos pasajes de estas obras maestras. Cada pintura viene acompañada de ese párrafo que inspiró al pintor.
Vienen joyas tremendas de ya reconocidos artistas como Alan Lee, John Howe o Ted Nasmith, entre otros. Desde Rivendell a Gondolin, de la Batalla de los Campos del Pelennor hasta el combate entre Túrin y Glaurung.
En fin, una pieza de colección que vale la pena tener si, como yo, aman tanto el mundo de la Tierra Media.
Esta es una recopilación de ilustraciones de muchos artistas de todo el mundo que han dedicado sus pinceles a plasmar lo que imaginaron al leer ciertos pasajes de estas obras maestras. Cada pintura viene acompañada de ese párrafo que inspiró al pintor.
Vienen joyas tremendas de ya reconocidos artistas como Alan Lee, John Howe o Ted Nasmith, entre otros. Desde Rivendell a Gondolin, de la Batalla de los Campos del Pelennor hasta el combate entre Túrin y Glaurung.
En fin, una pieza de colección que vale la pena tener si, como yo, aman tanto el mundo de la Tierra Media.
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