Eene schermutseling 1894 - 1959

This comic strip, 'Eene schermutseling' or 'A Skirmish', by Monogrammist G.J., shows the narrative of a battle in 12 parts. I wonder what G.J. was thinking when he made it? Each scene is small with bold colours, clearly delineated figures with a comic book feel, but the cumulative effect is quite wonderful! I feel like the artist really wanted to bring the past to life. Each image has its own setting, with people and horses in different poses, indicating the passage of time. The colours are repeated in each frame and each tells its part of the overall story. There is something so human about this work; it is both intimate and removed, clearly created by someone with an interest in the narrative and an awareness of the need to give each image its own space. The artist is in conversation with the comic form itself, a form which embraces sequentiality and storytelling. It is so good!