The Duchess shed tears large as marrow-fat peas. 1911

Arthur Rackham made this drawing of a crying duchess in 1907, likely using pen, ink and watercolor. You can almost feel the way the materials move. Look at how the repeated teardrop shapes build her dress, the way the dark pen lines contrast with the soft washes of color. It’s not so much about capturing a real image, but about expressing a feeling - sadness - through marks and gestures. And what is the duchess holding, is it a handkerchief? Rackham uses a limited palette, focusing on muted tones, which adds to the melancholic mood. The slightly textured surface gives the drawing a tactile quality, as if the tears have warped the fabric of the paper. This reminds me a little bit of Aubrey Beardsley, or even Paula Rego, it's as if they are all trying to visualize emotions in a way that bypasses our rational minds.