Op de plundering 1894 - 1959

This print, “Op de plundering” by Gordinne, uses what looks like watercolor or gouache on paper to narrate a series of scenes; almost like a storyboard of a battle! I’m really drawn to the way the narrative unfolds across the page. Each vignette is rendered with such crisp detail and the figures are so precisely outlined. The artist's hand feels so present, so intentional, in every mark. Look at how the light falls on the soldiers’ uniforms, or the subtle shadows beneath the chairs; a delicate wash that lends depth without overwhelming the forms. This piece reminds me a little of Honoré Daumier, with its satirical edge and focus on everyday life. But where Daumier's lines are often loose and expressive, Gordinne's are tight and controlled. Both artists, though, use their work to tell stories, to capture moments in time, and to invite us to reflect on the human condition.