Sidney Paget (1860-1908) was a British illustrator who became famous for his iconic illustrations of Sherlock Holmes stories in The Strand Magazine. Originally, the magazine's editors had intended to hire his brother Walter for the job, but due to a clerical error, Sidney received the commission instead.
Paget created over 350 illustrations for the Sherlock Holmes series between 1891 and 1904. His illustrations were instrumental in establishing the popular image of Holmes, including the deerstalker cap and Inverness cape that became synonymous with the character, despite these specific items rarely being mentioned in Conan Doyle's text. His portrayal of Holmes was partially based on the appearance of his brother Walter, lending the detective his distinctive, sharp features and commanding presence.
Beyond his Holmes illustrations, Paget contributed to numerous other publications and was known for his skill in depicting both dramatic scenes and subtle character moments. His work significantly influenced how subsequent artists would interpret and portray Holmes, creating a visual legacy that persists to this day.
Paget's death in 1908 at the age of 47 marked the end of an era in Holmes illustration. His work remains highly regarded for its technical excellence, storytelling ability, and the definitive visualization it provided for one of literature's most famous characters.
Many of the original illustrations are lost to time but a few still exist mainly among private collections and can, in rare cases, be found at auction.
Works cited: Diniejko, Dr. Andrzej. “Sidney Paget, the Artist Who Illustrated the Sherlock Holmes Stories.” The Victorian Web, 28 Nov. 2013, https://victorianweb.org/art/illustration/pagets/introduction.html.
Redmond, Christopher. Sherlock Holmes Handbook. Second ed, Dundurn Pr, 2009.