The Farmer’s Treasure 1908

Walter Crane made this illustration, "The Farmer's Treasure," using pen and ink with watercolor, a popular technique for book illustrations. It is made of traditional materials, that have been used for centuries. Look closely, and you will see the image shows a dying farmer telling his sons to dig for treasure. Of course, this is not gold, but the rewards of agriculture. The inscription reads, "Productive labor is the only source of wealth." The artist links the value of work and land, showing that economic success is not something you are born into, but requires effort. Crane was closely associated with the Arts and Crafts movement, so his artistic style reflected his socialist views. This style made fine art more accessible to the masses, and elevated the status of craft. The image has a stylized aesthetic and is a comment on labor, economics, and social values of Victorian England.