The Frog shares the Princess' Meal - Illustration for 'The Frog Prince'

Artist Walter Crane (Liverpool, England, 1845 - 1915)

Datec. 1874

Mediumpen, ink and watercolour on paper

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsSight Size: Height: 22.2 cm, Width: 42 cm
Frame: Height: 41.3 cm, Width: 60.3 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1917.

CopyrightOut of copyright - CC0

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG003356

Keywords

About MeIn Crane's illustration of 'The Frog Shares the Princess' Meal', he shows the King wagging a finger at his daughter in consternation while the Princess looks down in horror as the frog feeds from her plate. The anecdotal content is abundant. On either side of the King, a falcon and a greyhound mirror their master's disapproving stance. A pattern on the tablecloth features the nursery rhyme story of an unfortunate frog devoured by a duck.

Crane's style was a mixture of influences, including the Pre-Raphaelite and Arts & Crafts movements. He also took inspiration from Japanese prints and emulated their strong, flattened, outlined forms, filled in with bright yet delicate colour.
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Can you spot the frog enjoying a tasty morsel at the dinner table? The dog looks pretty jealous, whilst the bird definitely seems ready to swoop down onto something delicious! Hopefully not the frog!