Four men riding on top of a carriage being drawn by four horses 1903

Edward Penfield made this image of four men on a horse-drawn carriage, using bold lines and a limited color palette. It’s like looking at an animated cartoon, everything outlined in black, flattened, sped-up. I can imagine Penfield’s hand moving quickly, trying to capture the energy of the scene. What was he thinking about, as he decided which details to include and which to leave out? I bet he was in a rush. Those lines are so fast! I love how the shapes are simplified and exaggerated, giving the whole thing a kind of playful energy. This image reminds me of other artists who were playing with similar ideas, like those bold printmakers from the early 20th century. I love how artists are always in conversation with each other, even across time, bouncing ideas around. This image is such a great reminder that painting, and indeed all art, is a process of discovery, always evolving and changing.