Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Goblin Lanterns

Name Class Date

Helen Hyde, Goblin Lanterns (1906). Public domain.

The facts

Artist
Helen Hyde artsdot.com/en/artists/helen-hyde/
Artist’s dates
1868 – 1919
Painted
1906
Original size
19 x 19 cm

In context

Goblin Lanterns — Helen Hyde

How big is it?

The original measures 19 × 19 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.

When was this painted?

  1. 1860
  2. 1870
  3. 1880
  4. 1890
  5. 1900
  6. 1910

Shaded: the lifetime of Helen Hyde (1868–1919) ▲ this work, 1906

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/helen-hyde-goblin-lanterns-AQRFHW-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Gray #8b7969

    Catalogued palette

    • #8B7969
    • #F3E6D4
    • #231915
    • #504137
    Palette
    Earthy The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Gray
    Intensity
    Monochromatic How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Unified Palette How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Helen Hyde

    Born in Lima, United States of America

    Early Life and Education

    Born: Lima, New York (April 6, 1868)

    Died: Pasadena, California (May 13, 1919)

    Helen Hyde's artistic journey began early. She received initial instruction from Ferdinand Richardt at the age of twelve.

    Her family moved to San Francisco, where she continued her education at the California School of Design.

    Further studies took her to Europe, including Berlin and Paris, where she studied with Franz Skarbina, Raphael Collin, and Félix Régamey.

    Régamey's extensive Japanese art collection significantly influenced Hyde’s artistic direction, introducing her to Japonism.

    Artistic Development and Influences

    Upon returning to California, Hyde experimented with color etching and began depicting scenes of San Francisco's Chinatown.

    A pivotal moment was her 1899 journey to Japan, where she immersed herself in Japanese culture and artistic techniques.

    She studied traditional ink painting with Kano Tomonobu and learned woodblock printing from Emil Carlsen.

    Key Influences: Japonism, Mary Cassatt's prints, and the traditional Japanese art forms she encountered during her time in Japan.

    Her style blended Western artistic training with Japanese aesthetics, creating a unique visual language.

    Major Works and Techniques

    Notable Works: "A Monarch of Japan" (1901), "Baby Talk" (1909), "Sausalito," "Footbridge," and "Her Bit."

    Techniques: Hyde was primarily known for her color etching and woodblock prints. She employed a divided labor system in Japan, utilizing Japanese carvers and printers.

    “A Monarch of Japan” earned first place at the Nihon Kaiga Kyokai exhibition in 1901.

    "Baby Talk" received a gold medal at the Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition in 1909.

    Her prints often depicted Japanese women and children, reflecting her fascination with their daily lives and cultural traditions.

    Achievements and Recognition

    Exhibitions: Hyde’s work was exhibited widely both nationally and internationally.

    Awards: She received numerous awards for her prints, including medals at the Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition and the Panama-Pacific International Exposition.

    Collections: Her works are held in prestigious collections such as the Brooklyn Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

    Membership: She was a member of several art societies, including the Chicago Society of Etchers and the Printmakers Society of California.

    Historical Significance

    Helen Hyde played a significant role in bridging Western and Japanese artistic traditions.

    Her innovative use of color etching and woodblock printing techniques contributed to the development of American printmaking.

    She is recognized as one of the foremost American artists working within the Japonism movement.

    Hyde's depictions of Japanese life offer valuable insights into a period of cultural exchange and artistic innovation.

    Her legacy continues to inspire contemporary artists and collectors alike, with her works remaining highly sought after.

    Where to read more

    • The artist Helen Hyde artsdot.com/en/artists/helen-hyde/
    • Similar works More works to compare artsdot.com/en/art/similar/helen-hyde-goblin-lanterns-AQRFHW-en/

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Goblin Lanterns

    artsdot.com/en/art/download/helen-hyde-goblin-lanterns-AQRFHW-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Hyde, Helen. Goblin Lanterns. 1906, https://artsdot.com/en/art/helen-hyde-goblin-lanterns-AQRFHW-en/
    APA
    Hyde, Helen (1906). Goblin Lanterns [Painting]. https://artsdot.com/en/art/helen-hyde-goblin-lanterns-AQRFHW-en/
    Chicago
    Helen Hyde. Goblin Lanterns. 1906. https://artsdot.com/en/art/helen-hyde-goblin-lanterns-AQRFHW-en/
    Harvard
    Hyde, Helen (1906) Goblin Lanterns. Available at: https://artsdot.com/en/art/helen-hyde-goblin-lanterns-AQRFHW-en/

    Look closely

    Goblin Lanterns — Helen Hyde

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Look back at Little Miss Muffet (1918), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    4. Helen Hyde was about 38 when this was made. What in it looks like the work of an artist at that stage?
    5. What might the artist have wanted you to feel?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.