April, 1894, Page: 1
Image Dimensions: 30.8 x 24.2 cms
Page Dimensions: 31.8 x 25.6 cms
Artist:
Title: [Frontispiece]
Date: 1894
Inscription: Drawing, pen and ink within frame, 30.8 x 24.2 cm, inscribed “APRIL / NUM / BER. / 1894. / A.D–” and signed bottom right “A. RAEBURN”
Keywords: frontispieces; symbolism; women; figures; pitchers; seasons; spring; birds; bats; art nouveau
Material: Pen and ink
Commentary: The frontispiece has the same theme as the cover. Here, however, the naked female figure pouring April rain from her two pitchers to encourage Spring flowers probably represents a fairy. Behind her is the sun and migrating birds chasing away bats, symbols of the dark winter. The flowers are daffodils as are those in the border.