Beatrice Stevens — The Four Oaks (1923)

Amazing pen and ink art from the Golden Age of illustration by Beatrice Stevens. This was one of four illustrations by Stevens collectively titled, “The Four Oaks,” published in Scribners magazine in April 1923 (Volume 73, pages 406 - 409). Each illustration was named after an orchestral movement; this one is called “Andante” and is huge (27” x 19”). The detail in the piece is breathtaking.

Stevens was one of a handful of female artists working in the male-dominated illustration industry of the early 20th century. She illustrated a number of books and magazines, and I think it’s fair to say that she could hold her own against any other artist working at the time.