Artwork
The children by the fireside recounting their adventures
The children by the fireside recounting their adventures is a watercolor work on paper by the Arts and Crafts movement artist Frederick Cayley Robinson. It dates from 1911 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Children by the Fireside Recounting their Adventures is a watercolour by Frederick Cayley Robinson, created as part of a series of illustrations for Maurice Maeterlinck's play L'Oiseau Bleu (The Blue Bird).
Subject & Meaning
The scene depicts two children seated by a fire, sharing stories with a listener in the shadows, evoking a sense of warmth and intimacy. The image captures a moment of quiet narrative, drawing the viewer into a world of imagination and fantasy.
Technique & Style
Robinson's use of watercolour creates a soft, dream-like atmosphere, imbuing the scene with a sense of gentle mystery. The delicate handling of the medium contributes to the overall feeling of the image being a recollection, rather than a direct observation.
History & Provenance
The watercolour was created in connection with Robinson's work on the first production of L'Oiseau Bleu at the Haymarket Theatre, London, in 1909, for which he also designed the sets and costumes.
Artist & collection
Artist
Frederick Cayley Robinson was an English artist who created paintings and applied art, including book illustrations and theatre set designs.
