THE HEART OF THE WOOD

An original illustration in pen and ink showing a woodland scene where a fairy makes flower chains assisted by elves and surrounded by mushrooms while three rabbits look on. Delicately rendered with very fine and detailed lines and dots to show tone and shape. Signed and dated to the right edge of the illustration, hand titled to the mount. Contemporary window mount and dark wood, gilt edge frame. The illustration has some silverfish damage, mainly to the edges, obscuring the faces of two elves and part of the 'S' and 'R' in the signature 'Ida S. Rentoul'. The mount is lightly toned, the frame just lightly worn. The illustration measures 31 x 20 cm, the mount 40.5 x 28.5 cm and the frame 48 x 36.5 cm.

Ida Rentoul Outhwaite (1888-1960) was an Australian illustrator known for her fairy drawings and paintings. She often collaborated with her older sister, the children's writer Annie Rattray Rentoul (1882-1978). She successfully submitted her work for publication in magazines from the early age of 15, with her and Annie's first book, 'Mollie's Bunyip', published when she was just 16, and this beautiful illustration created when she was only 17. She went on to become one of the best loved Australian children's illustrators of her time and a hugely influential figure in Australian fairy and fantasy art.