These tricky fairies sometimes change the board on a ball night (1913)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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Arthur Rackham's enchanting illustration titled "These tricky fairies sometimes change the board on a ball night" from 1913 captures a whimsical and mischievous moment characteristic of Rackham’s work. This unique piece portrays a scene where two sprightly fairies are caught in the act of changing a gate sign, one dangling precariously from the sign itself and the other leaping with a document in hand. The reversed letters on the sign introduce an element of playful confusion, suggesting that these fairies are altering more than just physical objects—they’re meddling with human perceptions as well.Set against a dusky, finely detailed background of bare trees and a sparse landscape, the illustration employs a limited color palette that enhances the mysterious and otherworldly atmosphere. Rackham’s intricate linework intricately weaves the fairies and the natural elements together, creating a cohesive scene that blurs the lines between the mischievous characters and their environment.
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Arthur Rackham (19 September 1867 – 6 September 1939) was an English book illustrator. He is recognised as one of the leading figures during the Golden Age of British book illustration. His work is noted for its robust pen and ink drawings, which were combined with the use of watercolour, a technique he developed due to his background as a journalistic illustrator.