CAUTION DURING THE MISTLETOE SEASON 

John Leech created "Caution During the Mistletoe Season" using ink, resulting in an image dominated by stark black lines against a white background. The composition captures a moment of potential intimacy under a sprig of mistletoe, yet the characters' body language introduces tension. The strategic use of hatching and cross-hatching defines form and texture, from the woman's elaborate gown to the man's tailored suit. These dense lines create visual weight and contrast, emphasizing the social formality of the scene even as the mistletoe suggests a breach of decorum. Leech uses line to delineate not only the figures but also the spatial context, a parlor whose furnishings are indicated with spare, economical strokes. The artwork questions the codes of courtship and gender relations. The woman’s raised hand and wary expression signal resistance to the implied social pressure, while the man’s open gesture could be interpreted as either invitation or apology. The mistletoe, a signifier of tradition and expected behaviour, becomes a focal point through which social roles are negotiated and challenged. Ultimately, the strength of Leech's piece lies in its formal construction. The careful arrangement of lines and forms conveys a complex interplay of desire, constraint, and the precariousness of social ritual.