Les Enfants Aux Yeux Jaunes. Ohlol, Est Carolines 1940

Editor: Here we have "Les Enfants Aux Yeux Jaunes. Ohlol, Est Carolines", a print made around 1940 by Paul Jacoulet. The figures really catch your eye with those vivid turbans, don't they? I'm struck by the artist's choice to depict the sitters with their slightly unsettling expressions. What do you make of it? Curator: Well, "unsettling" is a powerful word! Jacoulet was quite the character, completely self-taught, yet revered as a master of *ukiyo-e*, that traditional Japanese woodblock print style. Now, what fascinates me is how he bridges that classical form with a distinctly modern sensibility. This image plays on exoticism – perhaps leaning a little into Orientalism, even – while the faces carry an undeniable intensity. See how those almond-shaped eyes, yellow on one and brown on the other, seem to pierce through you? I wonder if you felt a certain tension when looking at it? Editor: Definitely! The tension almost feels performative; the boys look posed, but also… caught. It's interesting you bring up exoticism. Curator: Absolutely! Jacoulet lived in Asia for years, and while he clearly admired the culture, one could argue that he exoticized it a bit. Think of those flamboyant turbans and that rather direct gaze, pushing the boundaries of cultural representation. The nude figure is not also a usual depiction for Ukiyo-e prints. Editor: I see what you mean. So it's a dance between respect and maybe a little… projection? It's definitely given me a lot to consider regarding representation and artistic interpretation. Curator: Precisely! Art is never simple. Jacoulet’s work really shines a light on how cultures influence each other, for better and perhaps for areas needing further analysis, making this particular print a compelling and very complex experience!