The Fairy Circus 1931

Dorothy Lathrop made "The Fairy Circus" with pen and ink, giving us a peek into an enchanted world. It's all about how she handles the contrast between light and dark, creating this vibrant, almost tangible space. The texture in this piece is just wild. The way she uses fine lines and stippling gives a sense of depth, like you could actually touch the furry animals or feel the scales of that grumpy tortoise! Take a look at the stars in the sky, they are made of tiny dots, but they create a huge atmosphere. I love how this detailed mark-making gives the whole piece a whimsical yet slightly unsettling vibe. It reminds me a bit of Arthur Rackham's illustrations, but with a touch more... edge? It's like Lathrop is showing us that even in the most magical realms, things can be a little strange, a little bit wild. And isn’t that what art, and life, is all about?