The artwork, entitled “The Nightingale and the Rose,” was created by Charles Robinson in 1913. As part of the Art Nouveau movement, also known as Modern, this illustration belongs to the “Tales by Oscar Wilde” series published in the same year.
In this particular illustration, a graceful, semi-nude figure stands elegantly poised with one leg slightly bent and body tilted forward. The figure’s attire is adorned with delicate roses and flowing vines, enhancing the ethereal and fantastical essence typical of Art Nouveau. Elaborate, feathered wings attached to the figure’s back extend upwards, adding a mythic and otherworldly dimension. An array of arrows can be seen fastened to the figure’s side, hinting at a narrative entwined with love or conflict. The muted, pastel background contrasts gently with the vibrant details of the figure’s attire, drawing the viewer’s focus entirely onto the central image.
