De duivel in de flesch c. 1902

This comic strip, “De duivel in de flesch”, was made by Pellerin & Cie. The comic is drawn with a kind of folksy charm. I love the flatness of the drawing style, and the colours, mostly reds, blues, yellows, and greens, are applied in simple blocks. The overall effect reminds me a bit of early animation, where the emphasis is on clear storytelling. Take the fourth panel in the first row, where the devil, with his mischievous grin, stands tall, holding a pitchfork. The lines are so clear and descriptive, defining the character with just a few strokes. It's as if the artist is saying, "Here's the scene, here's the story, now use your imagination!" It strikes me as similar to the work of the American artist, Guston. Both artists convey a sense of narrative and allow for multiple interpretations, inviting us to bring our own stories to the table. After all, art is just a conversation, isn’t it?