Artwork Page for The Green Dragon

Details / Information for The Green Dragon

The Green Dragon

1910

Arthur Rackham

(British, 1867–1939)
Culture
England, 20th century
Medium
pen and black ink and watercolor on paper
Measurements
Sheet: 28 x 19 cm (11 x 7 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Don Hunter 1954.652
Public Domain
You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.
Location
Not on view
Print
?

Did You Know?

The design for the dragon in this illustration derives from one of the black and white vignettes placed over the chapter titles in the 1909 edition of Undine illustrated by Rackham.

Description

One of the best-known book illustrators of his time, Arthur Rackham worked at the turn of the 20th century in the period now sometimes described as the genre's golden age. His style combined intricate line work with delicate coloring to create scenes that were timeless, mysterious, and sometimes dark. This combination was particularly well suited for fantasy subjects like fairytales, Nordic and Germanic legends, and the dragon in this illustration, first published in his Book of Pictures of 1913. The beast's sinuous body echoes the lines describing the trees' gnarly trunks, roots, and branches, and the ripples of the water in the stream, highlighting its unity with the nature that surrounds it. Rackham evokes a world both similar and different to our own, where nature is both magical and dangerous.
A vertically oriented pen and watercolor drawing depicts a green dragon with protruding tusks crawling left through thick, twisted roots. A gnarled gray-brown tree trunk dominates the right side. In the background, a gray stone fortress sits atop a cliff under a muted, cloudy sky. Fine black lines define the tangled branches and rocky terrain, while a small pool of water ripples in the foreground.

The Green Dragon

1910

Arthur Rackham

(British, 1867–1939)
England, 20th century

See Also

Visually Similar by AI

Contact Us

The information about this object, including provenance, may not be currently accurate. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please fill out the appropriate request form linked below:

Update or Correct Artwork Information

Imagery or Rights for Non-Open-Access Artworks

Report a Website Issue

Further Questions About This Artwork