Albert, de kleine snaak 1894 - 1959

This is a print by Gordinne called 'Albert, de Kleine Snaak' or 'Albert, the Little Rascal'. It’s a cartoon strip of images and text depicting the many misadventures of a naughty young boy. I like to imagine Gordinne creating each image; what it might have been like to draw Albert getting into all sorts of trouble. The lines are delicate, but they convey movement and expression so clearly. You can see that Gordinne paid close attention to the details of the clothing and the environment, which brings the world of the cartoon to life. Notice how the same colour palette is used throughout each scene, creating a sense of unity and flow across the whole page. In a way, each panel is like a mini-painting in itself. It reminds me of other comic strip artists like Winsor McCay, who pushed the boundaries of the medium through experimentation and playfulness. Artists are always borrowing from and building on each other's work across time. It’s cool to think of art as an ongoing conversation, isn't it?