August de domme 1894 - 1959

Lamouche made this lithograph, August de Domme, at an unknown date. Its naive graphic style, with its simple blocks of color and bold outlines, screams "process" to me; you can see the artist figuring things out as they go along. The texture of the paper is really important here, you can almost feel its roughness. It reminds me of old comics, the kind you'd read over and over again, and the colors feel a bit faded, like they've been bleached by the sun. I'm drawn to the horse mid-leap, it has these spindly legs that look like they’re about to buckle. It’s so awkward, yet full of energy, which makes it kind of beautiful. This lithograph reminds me a little of James Ensor’s prints, with their chaotic energy and cast of characters. It's a reminder that art is always a conversation, artists borrowing and riffing off of each other across time. And, like all great art, this print invites you to bring your own story, your own sense of humor and maybe even your own awkwardness.