Old Sal for ‘At the Back of the North Wind’ c. 1869

Curator: Here we see Arthur Hughes' pen and ink drawing, "Old Sal for ‘At the Back of the North Wind’", currently residing in the Tate Collections. Editor: The stark contrasts immediately grab you, don’t they? The dramatic hatching creates such a sense of unease. Curator: Indeed, Hughes uses line to delineate not just form, but also the environment framing Old Sal, considering the economics of book illustration. Editor: Note how the artist directs our gaze with the upward thrust of her arm, guiding us through the chaotic bedclothes and into the shadowy upper reaches. Curator: It also highlights the artist’s work within the printing industry, aimed at middle-class consumers seeking sentimental and moral narratives. Editor: And the formal choices, the compressed space, the almost claustrophobic detail, amplify the tension. It’s brilliant. Curator: Looking at this piece, we glimpse the social role art had in shaping Victorian values and tastes. Editor: Absolutely, seeing the formal elements at play enhances our appreciation of Hughes’ technical skills.