The artwork titled “Shook his bald head and murmured, ‘Cold, quite cold,'” is an illustration created by Arthur Rackham, a prominent figure in the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement. This illustration is part of the series “Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens”.
The artwork vividly portrays two characters with distinctive features and detailed attire. The central figure, an elderly man with a bald head, wears what seems to be rather shabby, vintage clothing, composed mostly of muted tones. He appears to be shaking his head and exhibiting a gesture indicative of coldness, emphasizing the depiction of a chill. Beside him stands a character adorned in a lavish, ornate robe adorned with vibrant patterns, suggestive of a more elaborate and possibly Eastern influence. The rich detail in the texture and design of the robes highlights Rackham’s exceptional illustrative skills and his affinity for intricate detail. The composition reflects a moment of interaction between the two individuals, capturing an essence of narrative and characterization, typical of Rackham’s storytelling approach in his illustrations.