HITTY by Rachel Field 11 1929

This is an illustration created by Dorothy Lathrop for Rachel Field’s novel, Hitty, featuring Hitty, the doll. It is rendered in ink, with a stark black and white palette. The visual impact relies on sharply contrasting tones and densely patterned lines, typical of wood engravings. Consider the labor that went into this image. It shows the doll tucked up under a quilt, which is meticulously composed of contrasting patterned fragments, evoking the comfort of domesticity. The doll's cradle, with its horizontal wood grain, and the patterned rug beneath, all show Lathrop’s painstaking rendering of form and texture. The work involved in this type of image making reflects a world where craft and handmade items are the norm, and where value is placed on skilled artisanship. The precision of the lines and the contrasts in light and shadow give a sense of depth and texture. This image invites us to consider the cultural value of craft in everyday life.