Illustration for Otto of the Silver Hand; The next moment they were hanging in mid-air

Illustration for Otto of the Silver Hand; The next moment they were hanging in mid-air
Illustration for Otto of the Silver Hand; The next moment they were hanging in mid-air

Illustration for Otto of the Silver Hand; The next moment they were hanging in mid-air

Date1888
Artist (American illustrator, 1853–1911)
Illustration CitationOtto of the Silver Hand, by Howard Pyle (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1888)
MediumInk on illustration board
Dimensionscomposition: 7 5/8 × 5 5/8 in. (19.4 × 14.3 cm)
sheet: 11 1/4 × 9 in. (28.6 × 22.9 cm)
Credit LineMuseum Purchase, 1915
Object number1915-47
On View
Not on view
ClassificationsDRAWING
Label TextHoward Pyle's story describes the life of young Otto, a victim of kidnapping and violent cruelty in medieval Germany. Taken from the monastery that harbored him as a child to a castle where he is imprisoned, he endures a series of trials including having his hand cut off. Ultimately peace prevails under a just emperor, and Otto is rewarded with a silver hand, as well as a beautiful bride.

The New York Times reviewer of the book noted that "Mr. Pyle gets something of the rudeness of ancient woodcuts into (this) work," alluding to the artist's desire to suggest medieval printmaking in the illustrations.


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