The artwork, titled “Tart Thief,” was created by Maxfield Parrish in 1925. It belongs to the art movement known as Regionalism and is categorized in the genre of illustration. This particular piece is part of the series “The Knave of Hearts.”
In “Tart Thief,” Maxfield Parrish employs his signature luminous colors and meticulous attention to detail to depict a scene of subtle mischief. The artwork features two figures dressed in elaborate, period-specific attire. One figure, dressed in a checkered robe with a tall hat, is stealthily peering through a partially opened door, their intent gaze fixed on something inside. The other, adorned in a flowing garment with a distinctive crown-like hat, stands patiently behind, seemingly in contemplation. The background includes lush foliage and a bright sky, which together evoke a serene yet slightly whimsical atmosphere. The composition captures a narrative moment filled with anticipation and humor, typical of Parrish’s illustrative style.
