‘I was only made yesterday’, said the Scarecrow
A hand-painted replica of William Wallace Denslow’s masterpiece ‘I was only made yesterday’, said the Scarecrow, meticulously crafted by professional artists to capture the true essence of the original. Each piece is created with museum-quality canvas and rare mineral pigments, carefully painted by experienced artists with delicate brushstrokes and rich, layered colors to perfectly recreate the texture of the original artwork. Unlike machine-printed reproductions, this hand-painted version brings the painting to life, infused with the artist’s emotions and skill in every stroke. Whether for personal collection or home decoration, it instantly elevates the artistic atmosphere of any space.
"I was only made yesterday," said the Scarecrow is an illustration created by William Wallace Denslow, an American illustrator and caricaturist best known for his collaboration with author L. Frank Baum on the classic children's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. This particular illustration is one of the many iconic images Denslow produced for the first edition of the book, published in 1900 by George M. Hill Company.
The illustration depicts the Scarecrow, one of the central characters in Baum's story, speaking the titular line, "I was only made yesterday." This moment occurs early in the narrative when Dorothy Gale, the protagonist, encounters the Scarecrow for the first time in a Kansas cornfield. The Scarecrow, animated by magic, explains his origins and his desire to obtain a brain, believing himself to be inadequate without one. Denslow's artwork captures the whimsical and slightly humorous nature of the character, emphasizing his patchwork construction and expressive face.
Denslow's illustrations for The Wonderful Wizard of Oz are notable for their bold lines, vibrant colors, and Art Nouveau influences. His visual interpretation of the characters and settings played a significant role in shaping the public's perception of Baum's fictional world. The Scarecrow, in particular, became one of the most enduring and recognizable figures from the Oz series, thanks in part to Denslow's distinctive artistic style.
The collaboration between Baum and Denslow was highly successful, with the book receiving widespread acclaim upon its release. However, their partnership ended after the publication of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz due to creative and financial disagreements. Despite this, Denslow's contributions to the book remain an integral part of its legacy.
The original illustrations, including "I was only made yesterday," said the Scarecrow, were created using a combination of pen-and-ink drawings and watercolor. These images were then reproduced using chromolithography, a popular printing technique at the time, which allowed for the vibrant and detailed color illustrations seen in the first edition of the book.
Today, Denslow's illustrations are celebrated as a significant achievement in children's book art and are studied for their historical and artistic value. The image of the Scarecrow continues to be a beloved representation of the character, and Denslow's work remains an enduring part of the cultural legacy of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.
