The Ass in the Lion’s Skin 1908

Walter Crane’s “The Ass in the Lion’s Skin” is a playful dance of ink and color, probably made as an illustration for a book, with the kind of flat planes and decorative line that was popular around 1900. Look at the texture in the lion's skin; you can almost feel the rough fur! The color palette is like a faded memory, soft blues and oranges that give the whole scene a dreamlike quality. It reminds me of making monoprints, where the image is built up line by line on a plate, and then carefully transferred to paper. Here, the lines do a lot of work. The ass, rather hilariously, stands center stage. Crane’s linework is so economical and expressive. You can see the delight he took in crafting each character, imbuing the image with a sense of narrative and fable, but also a sense of humor. It reminds me a little of Aubrey Beardsley, although his work is usually less silly. It’s a reminder that art doesn't always have to be serious; it can be a space for laughter and lightheartedness.