Original artwork for Folk-Tales of Bengal: "At the door of which stood a lady of exquisite beauty".

1912. Original artwork of a demon from Hindu mythology Published within Rev. Lal Behari Day's Folk-Tales of Bengal in 1912. This illustration from "The Story of the Rakshasas" shows a "fair lady" who is a Rakshasi or "raw-eater" who has "eaten up the king, the queen, and all the members of the royal family, and gradually all his subjects". It is reproduced opposite page 62. Warwick Goble (1862-1943) specialized in Indian- and Japanese-themed illustrations during the golden age of illustrated books. His work here, of a cannibal in the form of a beautiful woman who lures her victims to their death, illustrates text by Lal Behari Day (1824-1892). Day was a pioneer in collecting folk and fairy tales from his native region of Bengal. A review of the published book in The Times of India praised the book production and noted "best of all are the coloured illustrations thoroughly Oriental and decorative by Warwick Goble". A reviewer for the Manchester Guardian stated that "we hope many more children will make acquaintance with the Rakshasas and the demons, water-sprites, snakes, and elephants, and learn that their Indian cousins are very much like themselves..." Goble exhibited 100 original watercolours for sale at the Dudley Galleries in London during January 1914. A copy of the priced catalogue accompanies this watercolour and reveals that pieces were originally priced between 8 and 16 guineas. This piece was one of the highlights and offered at the price of 15 guineas. Original drawing (338 × 235 mm) on paper, ink and watercolour, signed ("Warwick Goble") lower right, mounted, framed, and glazed (605 × 495 mm). Strong and unfaded: a fine watercolour. Offered with a copy of the exhibition catalogue, disbound. The Times of India, 27 November 1912, p. 9; Manchester Guardian, 28 November 1912, p. 7. Exhibited: Dudley Galleries, London, January 1914, item 96.