Visitors to Leeds Central Library are being invited to step inside the pages of antique works by iconic storytellers such as The Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen as the library explores the remarkable realm of fantasy.
And a jaw-dropping pair of mythical dragons are also carefully watching over their eggs in the library in an installation created by fantasy artist Anne Stokes.
Among the elaborately illustrated tomes on display in Fantasy: Realms of Imagination, will be vintage copies of Grimms Fairy Tales, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Gulliver’s Travels and Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, complete with stunning illustrations by the renowned Arthur Rackham.
The gallery below features a selection of pictures from the enchanting exhibition:
7. Little Red Riding Hood
Rhian Isaac - Senior Librarian Specialist Collections looking at an illustration from Little Red Riding Hood, published in Grimm's Fairy Tales, Illustrated by Arthur Rackham. Photo: James Hardisty Photo: James Hardisty
8. Inspired
Fantasy: Realms of Imagination is inspired by a current exhibition also being held at the British Library and will feature a programme of events and activities through the exhibition, which lasts until January 2024. Photo: Leeds City Council Photo: Leeds City Council
9. 'Captured the imaginations'
Ms Isaac added: “The objects we have on display throughout the library illustrate the many ways fantasy has been an endlessly varied common thread throughout human history, and how it has inspired, thrilled and captured the imaginations of so many generations.” Photo: Leeds City Council Photo: Leeds City Council
10. Librarian Heather Edwards reads a vintage Gulliver's Travels book with illustrations by Arthur Rackham, underneath a dragons head created by fantasy artist Anne Stokes, ahead of Fantasy:Realms of Imagination, a new exhibition opening this Friday at Leeds Central Library which explores the history of fantasy from 500BC up to the present day. Picture date: Tuesday November 7, 2023. PA Photo. The exhibition includes rare beautifully illustrated books of classic fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen and explores the fantasy genre from Arthurian legends to fan culture. Photo credit should read: Danny Lawson/PA Wire
Librarian Heather Edwards reads a vintage Gulliver's Travels book with illustrations by Arthur Rackham, underneath a dragons head created by fantasy artist Anne Stokes. Photo: Danny Lawson/PA Wire Photo: Danny Lawson