HITTY by Rachel Field 14 1929

Dorothy Lathrop made this illustration for 'Hitty' using ink, and look at how she turns flat lines into something that feels like it has volume. I find myself getting lost in the contrast of black and white; it gives the piece a really graphic feel, but also adds to the drama of the scene. Take the snake for instance, looming large behind the doll, the texture of its scales is all lines and dots, and somehow that works. It reminds me that art is like writing, you put down marks and then the viewer fills in the gaps. The doll herself looks like she is pleading with the snake, her face totally still. I like how the details on the doll's dress – anchors and stars – add a playful, almost nautical twist to the piece. I think Lathrop’s work has a bit of that Rockwell Kent thing going on, that crisp, bold style. But unlike Kent, she brings a certain whimsy, a touch of the surreal, especially when you consider the context of children's literature. It's a reminder that art can be both serious and playful, often at the same time.