Back from Bololand 1905

Louis Glackens made this satirical cartoon, Back from Bololand, sometime around the turn of the century, probably as a print. Look at the layering of color, creating form through overlapping washes, it's really wonderful. It’s easy to get caught up in the political message here, but I’m drawn to the material quality. The crisp lines give it an illustrative feel, but the colors have a depth and vibrancy that I usually associate with painting. Check out how the red in the central figure's shirt bleeds into the surrounding outlines, creating a subtle, shimmering effect. And the way he renders the tiny figures in the foreground, each with their own unique posture and expression, it's pretty beautiful. This approach reminds me a little of Honoré Daumier, with his own background in caricature. Of course, art's always a conversation, right? Always looking back, always pushing forward. And, like any good conversation, it's not about finding all the answers, but embracing the questions.