The Parrot and the Cat (Sketch for "Good-Night" by Eleanor Gates)

Arthur Rackham was one of the most successful book illustrators of the early 20th century. He is best known for his colored illustrations for luxury editions intended as Christmas gifts. However, Rackham also did some work as a commercial illustrator. He designed ephemera like bookplates and greeting cards, and created illustrations for several magazines. The image associated with this sketch is an example of the later. It was one of six published in the February 1906 issue of <em>Scribner's Magazine</em> accompanying the short story "Buenas Noches" by Eleanor Gates. This sketch shows the tale's two subjects in the same positions and poses as in the finished composition.