The Knave of Hearts 1925

Maxfield Parrish's "The Knave of Hearts" (1925) is a vibrant and whimsical depiction of a character from Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland". Known for his lush colors and fantastical imagery, Parrish captures the playful absurdity of the story in this painting. The Knave, dressed in a regal purple robe, stands before two trumpeting guards, with a checkerboard floor in the foreground that adds to the illusionistic quality of the scene. Parrish's masterful use of light and shadow creates a sense of depth and drama, making this illustration a quintessential example of his signature style.