The artwork “Child Hiding in Rose” is an illustration created by Charles Robinson in 1913. It is associated with the Art Nouveau movement, known for its modern, stylized forms and often nature-inspired themes. The piece was produced for “Margaret’s Book” by H. Felding-Hall, a text dating from the same year. As an illustration, it serves as a visual accompaniment to the content of the book.
In the image, we observe a whimsical scene where a child appears to be peeking out from within the petals of an oversized rose. The child’s face is framed by the soft, delicate folds of the rose, and the look on their face is one of playful secrecy or surprise. The color palette is quite subdued with gentle hues, evoking a dreamlike quality consistent with Art Nouveau’s aesthetic. Lush foliage occupies the lower region of the illustration while the background fades into a misty, almost ethereal landscape. A bee is also visible in the upper right of the scene, adding to the naturalistic motif and providing a sense of life and motion. The piece captures the enchantment of childhood and the magic found in nature, both key elements often explored in the art of this period.
