There was a dispute going on between the executioner, the King, and the Queen 1907

Charles Robinson made "There was a dispute going on between the executioner, the King, and the Queen," with—well, I can't quite tell, but it looks like paint and ink. This piece has a real love for line, the kind that makes you think of the satisfying scratch of a pen. It's got this theatrical feel, right? All the characters are here, caught in a moment of high drama. I'm drawn to the Queen’s accusing finger, it’s so sharp, so full of righteous fury. And above them all, that giant cat head, like a furry, judgmental god in the sky! The colors are muted, almost like an old storybook illustration, which totally fits the scene. Looking at this, I'm reminded of Edward Gorey, that master of delightfully dark storytelling. Both Robinson and Gorey create these worlds where things are just a little bit off, a little bit unsettling, and totally captivating. It’s a good reminder that art can be serious fun, even when it's a bit strange.