The Wicked Fairy for ‘At the Back of the North Wind’ c. 1870

Editor: This is Arthur Hughes's "The Wicked Fairy for ‘At the Back of the North Wind’," an undated work held at the Tate. It's a small but incredibly detailed piece. The stark black and white contrasts definitely give it a gothic feel. What stands out to you from a formal perspective? Curator: The composition employs a stark contrast between the grotesque figure and the delicate linework of the background. Note how the hatching technique builds texture, creating a visual hierarchy. How does the fairy's stance contribute to your understanding? Editor: I guess her lifted fist and forward lean make her seem determined or aggressive. It's interesting how the perspective makes the fairy so much larger than the castle in the distance. Curator: Precisely. The scale distortion emphasizes her power. Consider also the line quality. The bold, erratic lines used for the fairy contrast with the finer lines used for the landscape. This juxtaposition amplifies the fairy's disruptive presence. Editor: That's a great point; I hadn't noticed the variance in line weight before. Thanks for the insight! Curator: My pleasure. Observing how formal elements contribute to meaning enriches our understanding of the artwork.