The artwork, titled “For years he had been quietly filling his stocking,” is an illustration by the artist Arthur Rackham. This piece is part of the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement and belongs to the genre of illustration. It is also part of a series of illustrations for the book “Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens.”
In the artwork, a prominent black bird is depicted perched on a branch of a gnarled tree, attentively looking at a red-and-white striped stocking that hangs from another branch. The intricate detailing of the tree, the texture of the bird’s feathers, and the deliberate lines in the stocking create a scene rich in texture and detail. The composition evokes a sense of curiosity and narrative, suggestive of a story hidden within the quiet act of the bird filling the stocking over the years. The earthy tones used by Rackham enhance the natural, whimsical quality that is characteristic of his work within the Art Nouveau style.