The "garden" is such strong symbolism and it really shows with this cover illustration. I so like that the girl looks so...I want to say apprehensive but I mean something a little softer and less worrying...as far as children's faces go it's a very accurate expression for an under two. Aren't the shadows perfect?
It's true. even the symbol of a gate opening...is lovely. I wonder how much the artist considered these things; I suspect it's an instinctive reaction to the whole idea of a garden, deep rooted in our culture. Of course it comes from paradise doesn't it - the whole idea a garden?
It's quite a literal picture in a way that few illustrators dare to be (or are allowsed to be) today. I don't think modern digital illustrations could capture that moment of vulnerable two year old softeness!
This book was illustrated by Eloise Wilkin in 1957. The girl on the cover features in many of the pictures inside, making her and her family the main characters in the poems. Thus the 'garden' of the title is transformed into her 'life playground.
The "garden" is such strong symbolism and it really shows with this cover illustration. I so like that the girl looks so...I want to say apprehensive but I mean something a little softer and less worrying...as far as children's faces go it's a very accurate expression for an under two. Aren't the shadows perfect?
ReplyDeleteIt's true. even the symbol of a gate opening...is lovely. I wonder how much the artist considered these things; I suspect it's an instinctive reaction to the whole idea of a garden, deep rooted in our culture. Of course it comes from paradise doesn't it - the whole idea a garden?
ReplyDeleteIt's quite a literal picture in a way that few illustrators dare to be (or are allowsed to be) today. I don't think modern digital illustrations could capture that moment of vulnerable two year old softeness!
This book was illustrated by Eloise Wilkin in 1957. The girl on the cover features in many of the pictures inside, making her and her family the main characters in the poems. Thus the 'garden' of the title is transformed into her 'life playground.
ReplyDelete