The Stranger Appearing to Midas 1893

Editor: Walter Crane’s "The Stranger Appearing to Midas," made with coloured pencils in 1893, presents an intriguing scene. The gold tones immediately draw me in. What kind of a story is this image telling us, and how did its public at the time view it? Curator: This illustration, created during the height of the Aesthetic movement, reimagines the ancient tale of King Midas. Notice the symbolism inherent in Crane's pre-Raphaelite style and his exploration of wealth and desire within a rapidly industrializing Victorian society. Do you think that the choice of medium impacts how the subject matter is viewed? Editor: Yes, actually. The softness of the colored pencil feels almost like a fairy tale, which downplays the harsh realities of greed. How would the Pre-Raphaelites audience receive this visual interpretation of such classic narratives and messages? Curator: The Pre-Raphaelites sought to elevate art’s moral purpose by looking to Classical and Medieval narratives and ideals to critique Victorian society’s values. Crane's "The Stranger Appearing to Midas," serves as both an attractive pictorial subject but it would also function as a gentle cautionary message during an era of enormous social change. Crane would make regular contributions to socialist journals with works directly criticizing the establishment, but he seemed to reserve this softer approach for illustrating the classics. Editor: I see! So the artist isn't just telling a story but also using it as a subtle form of social commentary for audiences both young, as this may be from a story book, and old who understand the historical context. Curator: Precisely. It reveals how artists use both overt and covert imagery to subtly shape public opinion. That duality makes art so powerful. Editor: That’s fascinating. Thanks, I definitely have a deeper understanding of this illustration now!