World Goth Day love for Benjamin Lacombe

Greetings fellow darklings, lovely to see you all again.

As I'm sure many of you know, this past Thursday, May 22nd, was World Goth Day, "a day where the goth scene gets to celebrate its own being, and an opportunity to make its presence known to the rest of the world." (www.worldgothday.com)

Here in Melbourne, World Goth Day has been celebrated in style all across the weekend. Wherever you are, I hope you've had an equally delightful celebration over the last few days of all things magnificently macabre. 

For me, in honour of this special day, I would like to share with you some of my favourite pieces by the fabulous French artist, author and illustrator extraordinaire, Benjamin Lacombe. 

Benjamin at the Cementerio de la Recoleta, Buenos Aires,
earlier this month

This gorgeous gentleman has lent his considerable talents to a number of publications, including his own, and regularly exhibits his work in galleries all over the world. I have my feathers crossed that he will one day make it down to a gallery in Melbourne. Not only would it be a thrill to see his original pieces up close, it would also be wonderful to take along one of his books for him to sign. Check out this video, where Benjamin discusses his thoughts on the art of illustration, his process, then proceeds to sign each fan's book with an original little sketch!

Screenshot from the aforementioned video

Which book would I take? As fellow fans would know, it is incredibly difficult to choose a favourite Lacombe publication, but I think mine would have to be my Archaia copy of Edgar Allan Poe's Tales of the Macabre, the lavish edition of some of Poe's best works, published in English in November 2012. If you don't already have this book in your possession, do all you can to remedy that - it is another brilliant Poe collection (reason enough right there), it is sumptuously illustrated (of course, all of Benjamin's work is Gothy gorgeous), it is beautifully bound, the pages are red-edged, and its cover is embossed with tiny skulls and Poe heads. Love.

Photos really don't do the
embossed cover justice

And now, for your viewing pleasure, some of my favourite Lacombe creations - Happy World Goth Day to you all :)

'Ligeia', Tales of the Macabre

'Berenice', Tales of the Macabre

'Ligeia', Tales of the Macabre

'The Black Cat', Tales of the Macabre

'Edward Portrait'

'Alice Meets The Cheshire Cat'

From the book 'L'enfant Silence'

From the book 'Blanche Neige'

From the book 'Blanche Neige'

From the book 'Notre Dame de Paris'

'The Evil Queen'

From the book 'L'herbier des fées'