Illustration from In Childhoods Country (Moulton) 1896

Ethel Reed created this illustration for Louise Chandler Moulton's "In Childhoods Country," using precise lines to delineate form and texture. Notice how the composition is structured around two figures of distinctly different scale and presence, yet united by the meticulous detail of their attire. The figure on the right dominates the scene with its towering hat and striped dress, a study in verticality and stark contrast. This is juxtaposed with the figure to the left, whose softer, stippled cloak and smaller stature create a sense of depth and perspective. Reed's use of hatching and stippling is notable, endowing the black-and-white medium with a rich, almost tactile quality. This technique serves not only to define shapes but also to imply volume and light, inviting a deeper contemplation of the interplay between form and space. Through these formal choices, Reed constructs a visual narrative.