Le Sculpteur De Tokobuei. Mers Du Sud 1954

Paul Jacoulet's "Le Sculpteur De Tokobuei. Mers Du Sud" is a print, and what strikes me first is the way he uses color to create flat, decorative patterns. It reminds me that artmaking is about choices, and Jacoulet chooses clarity and precision in the line. Look at the way the sculptor's arm leads us to the carved figure, a playful little monkey-like thing, which sits on the table opposite him. There’s a stillness in the image, a quiet moment captured in the making process. The sculptor, his arms, and torso rendered in smooth, pale tones, and contrasted against the brilliant blue of his garment. What's compelling is the sense of care and attention in the work, and the printmaking process, with its multiple layers, allows for this to be captured in the image. It makes me think of other artists who embraced the flattened space and decorative patterns, like, say, Matisse. But really, art is a big, messy conversation, and there's always more to discover!