She caught Toto by the ear 1900

William Wallace Denslow created this illustration, “She caught Toto by the ear,” likely around 1900, for the first edition of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." It’s a dynamic image of Dorothy rescuing her dog from the Kansas cyclone. Denslow’s illustrations, with their bold lines and flat colors, reflect the aesthetics of the Arts and Crafts movement. He combined his art with socialist politics and was part of a late 19th-century moment in which the book as an aesthetic object became a focus of artistic experimentation. Here, the design elements contribute to the storytelling, enhancing the sense of movement and chaos during the storm. Denslow’s version of Oz, however, also reflects the racial attitudes of his time. His depiction of the characters can be read as subtly perpetuating certain stereotypes, reminding us that even in a seemingly innocent children’s book, the social and cultural biases of the time can be present. To understand this image fully, we need to consider its historical context and the artist’s background. Researching the publishing history and the cultural milieu of the late 19th century will help reveal its complex layers of meaning.