This chapter examines the life and art of Richard Dadd, an artist who created profound works despite enduring social isolation in a hospital setting. It highlights his unique artistic style influenced by literature and folklore while also reflecting on his mental health struggles and the environment of the asylums in which he lived. The narrative further explores the significance of his artworks and their contemporary relevance, culminating in a discussion of lost masterpieces and the potential for rediscovery.
This one is an art episode, but also a murder episode and also a madness episode. Artist Richard Dadd's life story is quite sad, but his art remained consistently good, even at the lowest points in his life.
Research:
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- “The Cobham Park Murder.” The Examiner. Sept 9, 1843. https://www.newspapers.com/image/388277729/?match=1&terms=richard%20dadd
- Dadd, Richard. “Halt in the Desert.” British Museum. https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1987-0411-9#object-detail-data
- Dadd, Richard. “The Fairy Feller’s Master Stroke.” Tate Museum. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artworks/dadd-the-fairy-fellers-master-stroke-t00598
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- Munn, Geoffrey. “New Light on Dadd: George Bailey (1821–1898)by Richard Dadd (1817–86).” The British Art Journal, vol. 24, no. 2, 2023, pp. 75–76. JSTOR, https://www.jstor.org/stable/48760525
- “The Murder of Mr. Dadd – Apprehension of Richard Dadd.” Chester Chronicle, and Chester and North Wales General Advertiser. Sept. 15, 1843. https://www.newspapers.com/image/793241104/?match=1&terms=richard%20dadd
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- "’Sketch of an Idea for Crazy Jane’ by Richard Dadd.” Bethlem Museum of the Mind. https://museumofthemind.org.uk/blog/sketch-of-an-idea-for-crazy-jane-by-richard-dadd
- “Top 20 finds on the Antiques Roadshow.” BBC. Sept. 19, 2017. https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/antiques-roadshow-40/valuable
- Tromans, Nicholas. “Richard Dadd: the Artist and the Asylum,” D.A.P./Tate. 2011.
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