John Dickson Batten (1860–1932): A Pioneer of Egg Tempera and Enchanting Fairy Tale Illustrations John Dickson Batten, born in 1860, was a British artist who achieved considerable renown for his distinctive style of egg tempera painting and his captivating illustrations of fairy tales—particularly those inspired by Celtic folklore. He stands as a pivotal figure in the revival of this traditional medium during the Edwardian era, marking a significant moment in British art history. Batten’s artistic journey began with an early fascination for ornithology and animal flight studies, which profo…