Illustration to Voltaire, "Candide" 1948

This illustration to Voltaire's "Candide" was made by Imre Reiner in 1948. The scratchy, almost frantic lines that compose these figures give the work a sense of raw energy. It's not about perfection; it's about capturing a feeling, an idea. This feels connected to the way I approach painting – the process is front and center. Looking closely, you can see the varying pressure of the tool, creating depth and shadow with just a few strokes. The lines aren’t precious; they're immediate and visceral. It’s almost like Reiner is wrestling with the story of Candide, trying to pin down its essence in ink. And it feels like an echo of Picasso’s illustrations; a shared sensibility towards the deconstruction of form. Ultimately, Reiner seems to suggest that there are no fixed answers, just different perspectives.