HOUGHTON, ARTHUR BOYD English illustrator and engraver, was the leader of a group of artists who drew their inspiration from the pre-Raphaelite movement in its second period. The bulk of his work is in black and white, although he also painted. He was the son of Captain M. Houghton.
He is among the first British artists to give a vivid and colour ful interpretation of the mystery and poetry of the East. His line is delicate, direct, and sure, and his illustrations full of dramatic power and imagination. From boyhood he had the sight of one eye only, and he suffered considerably from the weakness of the other. In spite of this disability he was a quick and tireless worker, drawing invariably straight upon the wood with a wonderful knowledge of the engraver's technique. The British Museum and the Art gallery of Melbourne both possess one engraved woodblock by the master. The Victoria and Albert museum contains one oil picture, "Don Quixote," and two water colours, "An Oriental with Performing Monkeys" and "The Transformation of King Beder" ; also a number of drawings. The Tate gallery has an oil picture, "Punch and Judy." See Arthur Boyd Houghton, A Selection from his Work in Black and White, with introd. by Laurence Housman 1896.