Cinderella (from the Picture Book for the Red Cross) - Edmund Dulac

A delicate watercolour illustration by Edmund Dulac, depicting the fairy godmother transforming a pumpkin for Cinderella, originally published in 1915.

This illustration by Edmund Dulac depicts a scene from the classic fairy tale of Cinderella. Created in 1915 for the Picture Book for the Red Cross, the work demonstrates Dulac's mastery of atmospheric storytelling and delicate line work. The composition centres on the fairy godmother, who stands in a voluminous, light-coloured gown, extending her wand towards a patch of pumpkins. Cinderella, dressed in humble attire, watches the transformation with a posture of quiet anticipation.

Dulac employs a muted, nocturnal colour palette dominated by deep blues and soft greys, which allows the subtle glow from the magic wand to act as a primary light source. The background features a rustic cottage, rendered with fine, calligraphic ink lines that define the architectural details and surrounding foliage. The artist's approach to the figures reflects his training in the French academic tradition, combined with the stylistic sensibilities of early twentieth-century British book illustration.

Unlike many of his contemporaries who favoured bold, flat colours, Dulac utilised layers of watercolour washes to achieve a sense of depth and ethereal quality. The textures of the fabric, particularly the layered skirts of the fairy godmother, are rendered with precision, showing the artist's attention to costume detail. This piece captures a moment of transition, balancing the grounded reality of the garden with the supernatural elements of the narrative. The work remains a fine example of the high standards of production associated with the gift books of the period, where illustration was integrated with typography to create a cohesive visual experience for the reader.