Characters, from 'Jack the Giant Killer', Plate 2 for a Toy Theater
Pollock's characters for 'Jack the Giant Killer', second plate for a toy theater. A traditional fairy tale in England, it tells the story of Jack, who climbs his way up to the round table of King Arthur by killing the various giants that menace the lives and happiness of people in the reign. The print features ten characters of the story, organized in two rows of five. On the upper row, in the center, is Goldglisten, the princess, standing in a ballet pose with her arms open to the sides, holding her scepter in her right hand, and wearing her crown and a dress of red, pink and yellow fabric; a blue cape is extended behind her back, tied to cuffs around her wrists. She stands inside a sort of shell-shaped platform, framed with foliage and tree branches of vivid colors, upon which white doves are perched. To her sides are Brassnob and Delvediggenhauson, two devil-like characters, dressed with red and yellow costumes and wearing large masks with big noses, long hair, and pointed ears. On the corners are Rubybeam and Sunbeam, dressed in pink and red costumes, their hairs styled with long curls, and each holding a staff in one hand. On the bottom row is Lightspark, wearing the same costume as Rubybeam and Sunbeam, and four more demons, all of them wearing red and yellow outfits and demon masks: two of them are making the Cap of Knowledge and the Invisible Scarf, the two other grinding the Sword of Sharpness, all of which would be given as gifts to Jack after he spared their castle when fighting with one of the giants.
Artwork Details
- Title: Characters, from 'Jack the Giant Killer', Plate 2 for a Toy Theater
- Publisher: Benjamin Pollock (British, 1857–1937)
- Date: 1870–90
- Medium: Lithograph
- Dimensions: Sheet: 6 11/16 × 8 7/16 in. (17 × 21.4 cm)
- Classifications: Prints, Ornament & Architecture
- Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 1952
- Object Number: 52.541.1(2)
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
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Benjamin Pollock
1870–90
Benjamin Pollock
1870–90
Benjamin Pollock
1870–90
Benjamin Pollock
1870–90
Benjamin Pollock
1870–90
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