The Hermit; illustration for Oscar Wilde's 'The Teacher of Wisdom' c. 1890 - 1924

Charles Ricketts made this illustration for Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Teacher of Wisdom,’ using ink on paper. There’s something so ethereal about the light touch of the pen, isn’t there? It's as if Ricketts wasn't so much drawing as conjuring a vision. Look at the lines; they’re not just describing forms but almost vibrating with a quiet energy. The way the robes of the figures on the left cascade, almost like water, is mesmerizing. Then, there’s the Hermit himself, so still, so isolated, yet connected to this… angel? Spirit? The ambiguity is wonderful. Ricketts almost seems to whisper a story rather than shout it. It reminds me a little of Aubrey Beardsley, another artist who knew how to make black and white sing with complex, layered meaning. It’s art that invites you to dream, to fill in the blanks, to become a co-creator in the storytelling.