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‘J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the LotR’ Offers a Different Look at Middle Earth

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Jul 16 2022
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J.R.R. Tolkien created vast lands and timeless characters. This book collects personal sketches, maps, and drawings in a volume for all fans to enjoy.

This volume has 192 pieces of art created by J.R.R. Tolkien while he created the Lord of the Rings. As he wrote the trilogy his mental pictures of Middle Earth ended up on paper. Everything from rough sketches in manuscripts to finished illustrations with colored pencil. A limited number were used for published works, the rest were just a way for Tolkien to put his complex story to the page.

J.R.R. Tolkien art

via William Morrow (publisher)

These drawings include maps, sketches of locations, and inscriptions including the blood-stained Book of Mazarbul. They show the development of the Shire, Rohan, and the landscape of Middle Earth. All of these visual representations support Tolkien’s writing.  A few examples of what you’ll find between the volume’s covers are a sketch of Helm’s Deep, the fortress retreat of the Rohirrim people, on a half-used page of an Oxford examination booklet. As well as a map of Rohan, Gondor, and Mordor he used while writing Frodo and Sam’s journey.

J.R.R. Tolkien skteches

via William Morrow (publisher)

J.R.R. Tolkien: The Art of the Lord of the Rings

The Art of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien collects these drawings, inscriptions, maps, and plans in one deluxe volume. More than 180 images are included, all of them printed in color from high-quality scans and photographs, more than half not previously published. Wayne G. Hammond and Christina Scull, two of the world’s leading Tolkien scholars, have edited the book and provide an expert introduction and comments. Readers who have enjoyed The Art of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, with which the new book is uniform, will find much of interest also in The Art of The Lord of the Rings.

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J.R.R. Tolkien art of the lord of the rings

via William Morrow (publisher)

Want a beautiful copy to call your own? It’s available at Amazon and other booksellers. The same pair of editors did a volume on the art from the Hobbit. Both books demonstrate the author’s love of nature, and his deep connection with Middle Earth. They’re great companions for the epic novels.

J.R.R. Tolkien the hobbit cover art

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Author: Mars Garrett
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