Hobgoblins

Impish hobgoblins float through an open window in Charles Robinson's watercolor. Robinson and his two brothers were among the most prolific illustrators of fairy tales in this period. He brings his skill in rendering scenes from fantasy to this description of the generally friendly but troublesome creatures of folklore. Often found inside human dwellings doing odd jobs, hobgoblins can become frightening and even dangerous when misused. This watercolor captures their changeable nature. Though Robinson's hobgoblins have the delicate bodies and heads of children, their distorted features lend them an unsettling quality.