The Treasure of Carcassonne 1928

Dorothy Lathrop made this fairytale illustration using pen and ink, letting the stark contrast of black and white tell its story. This drawing feels more about the process of its making than a need to capture a specific scene. See how Lathrop varies the marks? Some areas are defined by tightly packed parallel lines, like the scrubby trees, while others, like the castle walls, are outlined with clean, steady strokes. It's as though Lathrop is exploring different ways of describing form and texture with her pen. Take a look at the sky, the field of stippled dots creates an atmospheric background that contrasts with the solid forms of the figures below. It’s a playful use of texture that feels both intentional and a little bit random. Lathrop's work has something of the magic of Arthur Rackham, who knew how to conjure a sense of wonder with simple lines. But the real treasure here is Lathrop's willingness to let the drawing unfold.