The Puppy-cat and the Baby 1904

This woodblock print by Helen Hyde features a baby and a toy. It's incredible how she coaxed such detail out of the medium, right? I imagine Hyde carefully planning each layer, carving away at the block, thinking about light, shadow, and the subtle textures of fabric and skin. She probably mulled over her colour choices, mixing the inks just so, because the earthy tones and muted palette create such a calm atmosphere. It feels like such a tender moment between baby and toy – but there's something almost melancholy about it. Is the baby lonely, or just contemplative? Hyde spent years living and working in Japan, so there's a real confidence to how she portrays the setting. It's like she's inviting us into this intimate world, one where stillness speaks volumes, and simple lines evoke such depth. Her work really reminds us that artists are always in conversation, borrowing, and riffing off each other's ideas.