Manouk 2017

Cricorps painted Manouk at an unknown date using oil paint to create a mosaic-like surface of reds, blues, and yellows. I can imagine Cricorps standing before the canvas, each brushstroke a deliberate act of construction. The paint seems applied in small, careful dabs, building up the image of the cat piece by piece. This gives the fur a lively, almost pixelated texture, as if the cat is vibrating with energy. I wonder if they were thinking about Byzantine mosaics, the way those ancient artists used tiny tesserae to create shimmering, holy images. The bold outlines remind me a little of Rouault, but the overall effect is pure Cricorps. We can feel the artist's hand in every carefully placed mark, and it’s this conversation across time, this passing of ideas, that keeps painting fresh.