Charles de Sousy Ricketts (2 October 1866 – 7 October 1931) was a British artist, illustrator, author and printer, known for his work as a book designer and typographer and for his costume and scenery designs for plays and operas.
Ricketts was born in Geneva to an English father and a French mother and brought up mainly in France. In 1882 he began studying wood engraving in London, where he met a fellow student, Charles Shannon, who became his lifelong companion and artistic collaborator. Ricketts first made his mark in book production, first as an illustrator, and then as the founder and driving force of the Vale Press (1896–1904), one of the leading private presses of the day, for which he designed the type and illustrations. A disastrous fire at the printers led to the closure of the press, and Ricketts turned increasingly to painting and sculpture over the following two decades.
In 1906 he also began a career as a theatre designer, first for works by his friend Oscar Wilde and later for plays by writers including Aeschylus, Hugo von Hofmannsthal, William Shakespeare, Bernard Shaw, and W. B. Yeats. His most enduring theatre designs, which remained in use for more than 50 years, were for Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado. With Shannon, Ricketts built up a substantial collection of paintings, drawings and sculpture. He established a reputation as an art connoisseur, and in 1915 turned down the offer of the directorship of the National Gallery. He later regretted that decision, but served as adviser to the National Gallery of Canada from 1924 until his death. He wrote three books of art criticism, two volumes of short stories and a memoir of Wilde. Selections from his letters and diaries were posthumously published.
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Some of their strengths
Charles Ricketts has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Courageous, Intelligent, Practical, Loyal, Strong, Trustworthy, and Sensual.
Intelligent and Inquisitive
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Charles Ricketts is someone who is an intelligent, inquisitive, and imaginative person, who is practical, considerate, kind, and diplomatic in dealings with others. A person who is known for being diligent and strong.
Constant and Serious
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Charles Ricketts well know them as someone who can be determined, unmoving, and firm, like a rock or a high mountain.
Active and Ambitious
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Charles Ricketts as someone who is active, ambitious, bold, and courageous.
A person who is driven and organized, is wise with money, who knows how to tell a good story, likes physical activity, and who loves learning.
Intelligent and Leadership-oriented
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Charles Ricketts is someone who is able to see things that others don't, and who can be an effective guide or mentor to others.
They are also someone who is mysterious, intuitive, and diplomatic, and who has a keen intuition, charisma, and a focus on balance and partnership.
Justice-seeking and Peaceful
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Charles Ricketts tends to be someone who loves peace and is ready to go to any costs to achieve it. Who has a taste for the good things in life, tends to be a good organizer, has a thirst for knowledge, and who tends to have the respect of friends and acquaintances.
Some of Charles Ricketts's challenges
While Charles Ricketts has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Charles Ricketts can be Stubborn, Emotional, Aggressive, Hesitant, Narcissistic, Standoffish, and Idle.
Hesitant and Narcissistic
One of Charles Ricketts's key challenges is that they are someone who can be hesitant and narcissistic.
Charles Ricketts must also exercise caution as they can be short-tempered and aggressive.
Impulsive and Aggressive
Charles Ricketts is someone who can be impulsive, aggressive, and confrontational, can have difficulty listening to others, be moody and high strung, have conflict with authority figures, be too judgmental of others, and who can be overindulgent and extravagant.
Pleasure-seeking and Indecisive
Finally, Charles Ricketts also can put others first too much, and hem-and-haw too much when making a decision.
