The Witch and the Prince Henry Justice Ford (1860-1941)

Here we observe a scene set within what appears to be a dense forest at night. A fire dominates the central space, casting flickering light and shadow across the figures present. To the left stands a figure identified as The Witch, cloaked in dark, voluminous robes of deep purple and brown hues. Her posture is hunched, her face obscured by the shadows of her hood, lending an air of mystery and perhaps menace to her presence. She extends a hand towards the fire, seemingly drawing warmth or sustenance from it.
On the right stands The Prince, clad in ornate armor, complete with helmet, breastplate, and decorative embellishments. He is positioned defensively, his stance suggesting readiness for potential conflict. A lion rests at his side, its posture mirroring his own – alert and watchful. The prince’s gaze is directed towards the witch, indicating a moment of tense interaction or appraisal.
The background is rendered in muted greens and browns, evoking the atmosphere of an ancient woodland. A crescent moon hangs high above, adding to the nocturnal ambiance and hinting at a realm beyond the everyday. The artist employed a limited palette, relying on warm tones for the firelight and cooler shades for the surrounding foliage.
Subtextually, the painting explores themes of encounter between disparate worlds – that of human order (represented by the prince and his lion companion) and the realm of magic or folklore (embodied by the witch). The fire serves as a symbolic nexus point, a place where these realms intersect. The witch’s obscured face invites speculation about her intentions; is she benevolent or malevolent? The princes guarded posture suggests caution and suspicion, implying that their meeting is fraught with potential danger.
The composition itself reinforces this sense of duality. The figures are deliberately separated by the fire, creating a visual barrier between them. This spatial arrangement underscores the inherent differences in their identities and roles within the narrative. The decorative border at the bottom adds an element of fairytale illustration, further solidifying the work’s connection to folklore and traditional storytelling.