Legend of Sleepy Hollow, plate 4 (Ichabod dancing with Katrina vanTassel)

F.O.C. Darley

Felix Octavius Carr (F.O.C.) Darley was a pioneer of the American illustration profession, having supplied what was the first printed illustration in a periodical or newspaper that most Americans saw, beginning in the mid 1800s. The self-taught artist was especially known for his straight-forward style, focusing on the immediacy of the story as opposed to technical artistry of the image. By the end of his five decades-long career, he’d been commissioned to illustrate the works of nearly every leading writer in America.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow proved to be Darley’s breakout commission, obtained through the American Art Union in 1848. His series of hand-colored images were the first of their kind to illustrate Washington Irving’s 1820 short story, and their popularity was such that a subscription was offered to receive the hand-colored lithographs by post. This placed the young artist in the homes of the upper class, and cemented his reputation as a sought-after literary artist.