The ogre counting his money 1921

Margaret Evans Price made this illustration, "The Ogre Counting His Money," with what looks like a printmaking technique. It’s fascinating how she balances a limited color palette with such narrative richness. Looking closely, you'll notice the texture isn't about thick paint, but more about layers and flat planes of color. The ogre's face, with its rough lines and sickly complexion, juxtaposes beautifully with the smoother, more delicate features of the child peering from behind the door. I'm particularly drawn to the ogre's hands, overflowing with gold. There's a sense of greed, but also a kind of vulnerability, made all the more human by the contrast of the child's watchful gaze. It reminds me a little of Paula Rego's work, in how she uses folk narratives to explore the darker sides of human psychology. Art is an endless conversation, isn't it? Always echoing, always responding.