Jack & Jill 1877

This illustration of Jack & Jill was made by Walter Crane in the late 19th century, likely as a wood engraving, printed and then hand-colored. Look closely, and you can see how the wood’s grain is visible. Wood engraving is an exacting process; a design is carved into the end grain of a block of wood, allowing for very fine detail. The block is then inked and printed, creating a precise impression. The charm of this image, based on a popular nursery rhyme, lies in the tension between the industrial process used to make it, and the idyllic, pastoral scene. As in other works by Crane, we see a nostalgia for pre-industrial folk culture, even while the image is generated by the printing press, a quintessential emblem of modern life. The crisp lines and flat colors speak to mass production, yet the subject matter evokes a simpler, more innocent time. This contrast is key to understanding Crane’s broader artistic project, which often bridged the gap between art and craft.