The Parrot and the Cat (Sketch for "Good-Night" by Eleanor Gates) England, late 19th-early 20th century

The Parrot and the Cat (Sketch for "Good-Night" by Eleanor Gates)

c. 1905

Arthur Rackham

(British, 1867–1939)

England, late 19th-early 20th century

brush and pencil

Sheet: 26 x 37 cm (10 1/4 x 14 9/16 in.)

Gift of Mrs. Ralph Perkins in memory of Coburn Haskell 1946.158

Location: not on view

You can copy, modify, and distribute this work, all without asking permission. Learn more about CMA's Open Access Initiative.

Did You Know?

This sketch shows the climax of the story when Loretta the Parrot confronts her enemy, Tomasso the cat, to protect her friend, Tony the canary.

Description

Arthur Rackham was one of the most successful book illustrators of the early 20th century. He is best known for his colored illustrations for luxury editions intended as Christmas gifts. However, Rackham also did some work as a commercial illustrator. He designed ephemera like bookplates and greeting cards, and created illustrations for several magazines. The image associated with this sketch is an example of the later. It was one of six published in the February 1906 issue of Scribner's Magazine accompanying the short story "Buenas Noches" by Eleanor Gates. This sketch shows the tale's two subjects in the same positions and poses as in the finished composition.