Om een kleine muis! c. 1902

This print, "Om een kleine muis!" made by Pellerin & Cie., uses simple block colours and graphic lines to tell a sequential story. It reminds me of some of the earliest forms of printmaking. The use of flat colour gives the piece a feeling of immediacy. Each scene is contained within a circular border, linked by floral motifs and playful mice. The narrative unfolds around the page, urging the viewer to follow the protagonist's actions. The application of colour isn’t about depth or realism, but rather about creating distinct shapes and forms, something that I find very pleasing. Look at the seventh image. The simple lines describing the fallen chair and scattered books create a sense of chaotic movement. It feels so expressive, achieved with minimal means. It reminds me of work by artists like William Steig, whose drawings captured a world of complex emotions through simple, graphic forms. It shows that art can be a conversation across time, a play of ideas that embraces multiple interpretations.