De ongevallen van ongehoorzame kinderen 1894 - 1959

This 19th century print called ‘The Misadventures of Naughty Children’ by Gordinne looks like it was etched and then hand-coloured, using the most delicate watercolour washes. It makes me think about the process of childhood: it's all about learning what not to do! I'm drawn to how the artist uses thin, transparent layers of color to define each little scene. You can almost see the paper's texture beneath, which adds to its fragile, ephemeral feel. Take the scene with the wizard turning the naughty children into pigs. The lines are so delicate and precise, it’s like the artist is laying down each mark with a sense of careful planning, but then, the colors are so softly applied that you get a feeling of innocence. It reminds me a little of the work of Honoré Daumier. Both artists were commenting on social mores and using printmaking to get their message across, but with a touch of humor.