Hannah Jane Locker Lampson 1898

Kate Greenaway created this artwork, Hannah Jane Locker Lampson, in 1898 using pen and ink with graphite underdrawing. Notice how Greenaway constructs the composition using a symmetrical arrangement. She frames the two figures with an elaborate border of roses and foliage, echoing the floral motif at the bottom. The lines are delicate, yet precise, lending a dreamlike quality to the scene. The uniformity in the figures' poses and attire, combined with the inscription "FEAR GOD. FEAR NOUGHT.", subtly speaks to the cultural codification of women within late Victorian society. This engraving can be seen as a cultural artifact, a representation of the era's values and expectations. Consider the function of line in this artwork and how the structured composition, filled with semiotic meaning, invites us to explore the complex relationship between art, culture, and representation.