Rapunzel 1922

Walter Crane made this version of Rapunzel as a print, so it's all about lines, hatching, and making something detailed from simple marks. Artmaking is always a process, and here, you can really see how each line adds to the story. What strikes me about this piece is how Crane uses line to create texture and depth. Look at Rapunzel’s hair – each strand is carefully rendered, creating a sense of volume and movement. It’s almost as if you can feel the weight and silkiness of it. Then there's the prince, with the way he's hoisting himself up, desperate to get a glimpse. The stark, simple hatching around him make the composition feel dramatic, even though the piece is still. This work reminds me a little of Aubrey Beardsley, especially in the way Crane uses black and white to create such a rich, detailed image. It’s a reminder that art is often an ongoing conversation. Ultimately, Crane's Rapunzel embraces the ambiguity of fairy tales, inviting us to see the story in new and imaginative ways.