The Treasure of Carcassonne 1928

Dorothy Lathrop created this black and white drawing using ink on paper. The visible texture of the paper, combined with the ink's crisp lines, create a play of light and shadow, enhancing the scene's intimate feel. Lathrop was a renowned children's book illustrator and often employed wood engraving and lithography techniques in her work. Here, we see the qualities of these printmaking methods translated into the more immediate medium of drawing, where the lines are freely drawn but still retain a sense of precision. Her skilled hand brings life to this whimsical image, connecting it to a history of illustration and the broader social context of children's literature. This work reveals the labor involved in creating a sense of enchantment for young audiences, inviting us to appreciate the artist's ability to convey both detail and emotion through simple materials.