The swan song of American illustrator Virginia Sterrett

Virginia Frances Sterrett was born in Chicago, USA in 1900. Her father passed away early, leaving her to live with her mother and sister. When Virginia first picked up a pencil, drawing became an integral part of her life. She created her first artwork at the age of two. During her youth, encouraged by friends, she submitted her drawings to the Kansas State Fair competition, where she won three first-place awards and one second-place award. In 1915, she returned to Chicago with her family and entered high school. After graduation, she worked in the advertising department of a department store. Due to her excellent performance, she earned the opportunity to study for free at the Art Institute of Chicago. Unfortunately, her mother fell seriously ill, forcing Virginia to stop her studies and work to support her family. Not long after, she was diagnosed with tuberculosis.

As shadows loomed over Virginia's life, fortune smiled upon her career. A collaboration with Penn Publishing Company allowed her to illustrate for publications, giving Virginia the chance to fulfill her artistic dreams. The three books, "Old French Fairy Tales" in 1920, "Tanglewood Tales" in 1921, and "Arabian Nights" in 1928, featuring delicate and elegant illustrations filled with romantic fantasy, became the swan song of her life.

In 1931, Virginia Frances Sterrett passed away.