The Peacock’s Complaint 1908

Walter Crane made this illustration, The Peacock’s Complaint, using line, color, and lettering to tell a story. I love the simple way Crane uses color; it feels very deliberate. The peacock's feathers are not just decoration, but also a display of the artist's eye for shape and pattern. Look at how the sharp lines of the peacock contrast with the flowing robes of the figure of Juno. The paint isn't trying to hide anything; it’s flat and honest about being ink on paper. I am especially drawn to the lettering, which is incorporated into the design of the image as a whole. The hand-drawn letterforms have a whimsical charm, their imperfections adding to the overall handcrafted feel of the artwork. Crane reminds me a little of Aubrey Beardsley; both were interested in flatness and pattern. But where Beardsley is often dark and mysterious, Crane is light and clear. His work is a reminder that art can be beautiful, meaningful, and even a little bit funny.