These Drawings By J.R.R. Tolkien Bring Middle-Earth To Life

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In conjunction with its "Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth" exhibition, the University of Oxford has released a book of everything Tolkien β€” his original artwork, correspondences with friends and fans, family photos, early manuscripts, and more. Below, some of the sketches and paintings that show Middle-earth (and beyond!) as Tolkien himself envisioned it.

Bilbo comes to the Huts of the Raft-elves, July 1937


The Trolls, January 1937


Roverandom illustration

The final version of Thror's map, 1936

Conversation with Smaug, July 1937


Annotated map of Middle-earth

Sketch for The Forest River, July 1937

The Shores of Faery

The Fire-writing, 1953


Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth is available now.

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