“The Seven Kids and their mother capered and danced round the spring in their joy” is an illustration created by Arthur Rackham, a notable figure in the Art Nouveau (Modern) movement. This piece is part of the “Snowdrop & Other Tales” series by the Brothers Grimm. The artwork exemplifies the genre of illustration and broadly captures the enchanting essence of the narrative it accompanies.
In the artwork, a mother goat and her seven kids are depicted in a scene of jubilant celebration around a spring. The mother goat, standing on higher ground, watches over her frolicking children who exhibit playful and spirited movements. The muted, earthy tones and the delicate, detailed lines characteristic of Rackham’s style add depth and texture to the scene, further enhancing its mystical and fairy-tale ambiance. Nodes of lush yet subdued greenery frame the scene, with a rippling spring in the foreground adding a sense of movement and life to the image. The composition and ethereal quality of the work encapsulate the whimsical and moralistic stories of the Brothers Grimm.