Third Book: Three Goats, Fifth Plate (Chevreaux, cinquieme planche) Possibly 1937

Aristide Maillol made this print of three goats using lithography, where he probably drew directly onto a stone or metal plate. The image feels so immediate, like he’s sketching from life, capturing the goats' playful energy with a simple, confident line. I wonder what Maillol was thinking as he drew? Maybe he was charmed by the goats' movements and wanted to distill their essence into a few strokes. The color is like a red ochre which gives it a warmth. I wonder if he was thinking of cave paintings when he chose the color? The way the lines vary in thickness gives the goats a sense of volume and weight, even though the drawing is so minimal. You can almost feel the texture of their coats and the way they move through space. This reminds me of Picasso's line drawings. Artists, you know, we are always looking at each other's work! This piece is an example of how artmaking is a continuous process of exchange and dialogue.