17437 (_If the wife is a temptress ..._) 1932

John Elsas made this watercolour, titled 'If the wife is a temptress…' at some point, we don’t know exactly when. It’s so simple, and yet it holds a whole world of complexity. I’m struck by the flat black silhouette of the figure. It's stark and unyielding, like a shadow come to life. But then there's that tiny pop of red and white – a flash of temptation, maybe? You can almost feel Elsas dabbing the paint onto the paper, building up the layers, one on top of the other. The surface is matte and kind of chalky, as if the paint has been ground into the paper with real intention. The whole thing reminds me of the work of Alfred Jarry, especially his play *Ubu Roi*, which is raw, absurd, and totally unforgettable.