Judge Jeffreys (Original)
Medium: Mixed Media on Board
Size: 8" x 8" (210mm x 200mm)
Date: 1967
Code: BruceJeffreys
This is the unique original Mixed Media art by Ralph Bruce.
In the 17th Century one of the most hated names in England was Baron George Jeffreys, more commonly known as 'the hanging judge'.
His reputation for ruthlessness was gained at the 'Bloody Assize', when he dealt savagely with people who had been involved with the Duke of Monmouth's unsuccessful rebellion against James II. 320 people were executed by his order and hundreds more transported to the colonies including people sold into slavery.
The illustration shows a dramatic turn in fortune. James II had abdicated and William was now King. Jeffreys attempted to flee the country disguised as a seaman but was arrested at Wapping. He was put in the Tower of London where he died in April 1689.
From the series Man of the Week published in Look and Learn # 309, 16th December 1967.
- Artist BiographyRalph Bruce
Ralph Bruce was a talented illustrator who worked for Look and Learn in the 1960s. Until the mid-1960s he was a regular artist for The Children's Newspaper and was probably brought to the educational paper by former Children's Newspaper editor, John Davies, who took over the editorship of Look and Learn in 1965.
His artwork covered a huge range of subjects. His historical illustrations ranged from ancient Greece and Roman Britain, to the eras of Shakespeare, Caxton and modern journalism. He was particularly adept at portraits and drew everyone from Dickens to the Beatles for Look and Learn as well as contributing covers for various series, including Famous Couples and When They Were Young in the late 1960s. Some of his best work was contributed to the long-running series The Story of Opera, penned by Robin May.
Prior to working for Look and Learn, Bruce had illustrated book covers for Digit Books in the late 1950s, titles including The Deep Six by Martin Dibner, I Came Back by Krysyna Zywulska, White August by John Boland, Air Patrol Biscay by Richard T. Bickers, Horns of the Dragon by Felix Trigg, Battle of the Bulge by William M. Stokoe, The God of Channel 1 by Donald Stacy, Nor Iron Bars a Cage by W. H. Aston, all in 1957.
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