De snor van Emile 1894 - 1959

This delightful print called 'De snor van Emile’ was made by Monogrammist JGr, though we don’t know exactly when. It's got these comic strip-like scenes, each carefully bordered, like a little window into Emile’s world. What's fun about this piece is the drawing. It's not about perfection, but about capturing the energy of the moment. The colors are gentle, like an old storybook, and the lines are kind of wonky, which makes it all the more charming. Take a look at the scene where Emile's playing dress-up. He's got this enormous hat and a sword, and he's just leaping into action. The way the artist shows his cape flying out makes it seem like you’re right there, caught up in his game. It reminds me of Picasso, who wasn't afraid to bend the rules of drawing to show you what he felt, not just what he saw. Art isn’t about getting it “right." It's a conversation, a way of playing with ideas and feelings, and this artist is inviting us to play along.