Olympische spelen 1916 Amsterdam Stadion 31 aug.-3 sept. 1916

Willy Sluiter made this poster for the 1916 Olympic Games in Amsterdam using lithography. The horses, rendered in shades of grey, are so lively they practically jump off the ochre ground, and the driver in the chariot seems to be wrestling with them, rather than controlling them. Looking closely, the surface has a gritty texture, like charcoal or chalk, built up in small strokes. See how the light glances off the flanks of the horses? This gives them a sculptural quality, a real sense of volume and movement. I find the build-up of tone really interesting here, it’s like the artist is modelling with the light itself, gradually piling up the darker tones to create the impression of form. Sluiter's interest in capturing movement reminds me of the Italian futurist, Umberto Boccioni, although Sluiter's work has a playful quality that is all his own. It’s a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation. It can take on multiple forms.