De rooverbende van Pedro 1894 - 1959

This print called 'De rooverbende van Pedro' by Lamouche presents a series of vignettes done with ink and color wash. I see here an ease of execution, the fluidity of the ink lines, and transparent washes creating a world of playful narrative. The material aspect that grabs me is the way the artist uses line. Look at how the lines define the characters, their clothing, their actions. The ink isn't precious. Look at the way one scene bleeds into the next, with a riot of action and color suggesting a story unfolding across time and space. Each image is a moment, loosely and quickly rendered, but full of energy and character. This reminds me of other artists who worked as cartoonists, like Philip Guston. Both artists embrace an openness to process and storytelling, a willingness to let the work be imperfect. This piece, like many great works of art, is an invitation to play, to see, and to imagine.