Denslow’s Mother Goose Pl 20 (1901)

At first glance, "Denslow’s Mother Goose Pl 20" by William Wallace Denslow, captivates with its whimsical and bold reinterpretation of classic nursery rhyme imagery. The painting depicts a large circular face, reminiscent of a clock, against a muted green background which offers a vintage look, resonating with its 1901 origins.The artwork prominently features the face of the clock outlined in red, with numerals portrayed in a striking, clear typeface that enhances its visibility and artistic allure. What makes this painting particularly engaging is its creative incorporation of nursery rhyme characters into the clock design.The central highlight is a poised black mouse near the number one on the clock, visually capturing the essence of the nursery rhyme, “Hickory Dickory Dock.” The mouse's dynamic motion seems to mimic its famed race against time, adding a layer of narrative depth. The clock’s hands sit at a little past one o'clock, suggesting the "one o'clock" line from the rhyme.Further adding to the charm are the subtle facial features like eyes and a nose integrated into the center of the clock’s face, with a whimsical red dot that playfully hints at a clown-like nose. These elements amalgamate to form a visual pun – aligning the literal passage of time with the timeless joy of children's rhymes.