“Step into a whimsical world with this detailed engraving for "Peronnik the Fool." Its intricate lines and expressive figures showcase the artistry of early 20th-century book illustration, inviting you to imagine the story behind the scene.”
This engraving, created in 1933, illustrates a scene from "Peronnik the Fool." The intricate lines and delicate shading draw the viewer into a fantastical narrative, typical of the finely crafted book illustrations of its era. The artist, Stephen Gooden, was known for his detailed copperplate engravings, a skill evident in the precise rendering of figures and settings here. The work captures a moment of quiet drama, where the characters' expressions and gestures convey a rich, untold story. This piece reflects a broader trend in early 20th-century book arts, where illustrations were considered integral to the literary experience, enhancing the text with visual interpretations that were both witty and inventive.
- Artist
- Stephen Gooden
- Date
- 1933
- Medium
- engraving
- Location
- Cleveland Museum of Art
- Dimensions
- [object Object]
- Collection
- Prints
- Culture
- England, 20th century
- Credit line
- Gift of Elizabeth Carroll Shearer in memory of her husband Robert Lundie Shearer
What to Notice
Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The delicate cross-hatching that creates texture in the clothing.
The subtle expressions on the characters' faces.
The way light and shadow define the forms and depth.
The intricate details in the background elements.
Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through Illustrations for "Peronnik the Fool" — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
Stephen Gooden
1892–1955 · United KingdomMaster engraver whose St George design for Windsor Castle became the George Medal worn by British heroes.
Further Works by Gooden
The Fables of Jean de la Fontaine: The Swan and the Cook
1929 · Cleveland Museum of Art
The Swan and the Cook
1929 · Cleveland Museum of Art
Illustration for "Peronnik the Fool": A Bill and a Wooden Block
1933 · Cleveland Museum of Art
Illustration for "Peronnik the Fool": A Gargoyle
1933 · Cleveland Museum of Art
Illustration for "Peronnik the Fool": A Lion Tearing at a Sack
1933 · Cleveland Museum of Art
Illustration for "Peronnik the Fool": Cock Key
1933 · Cleveland Museum of Art
Illustration for "Peronnik the Fool": Frontispiece
1933 · Cleveland Museum of Art
Illustration for "Peronnik the Fool": Peronnik the Fool
1933 · Cleveland Museum of Art
More works to explore
Beyond Gooden: works from the same years.
Same era · 1910s–1940s
Lozenge Composition with Yellow, Black, Blue, Red, and Gray
Piet Mondrian · 1921 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
Nude
Ivan Puni · 1931 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
American Gothic
Okada Saburosuke · 1930 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
Straße mit Passanten bei Nachtbeleuchtung
Ernst Ludwig Kirchner · 1927 · Museum Frieder Burda
Same era · 1910s–1940s
The Indestructibles
Philip Evergood · 1946 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
In the Magic Mirror
Paul Klee · 1934 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
The Eye
René Magritte · 1932 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
Untitled (Desert Landscape)
Salvador Dalí · 1934 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
Garden Airplane-Trap
Max Ernst · 1935 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
The Red Armchair
Pablo Picasso · 1931 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1910s–1940s
Two Women on the Shore
Edvard Munch · 1935 · Munch Museum
Same era · 1910s–1940s
American Gothic
Grant Wood · 1930 · Art Institute of Chicago
