De kwakzalver 1894 - 1959

Gordinne made this print, called “The Quack,” using lithography, though the date is unknown. The muted colors feel almost like a memory, a gentle wash over scenes that could be humorous or cautionary, depending on your mood. Look at the little vignettes, each a tiny stage. Notice how the artist uses thin lines to define figures and objects, but then fills them in with flat, almost translucent color. It’s like coloring in a coloring book, but with a wink. See the quack himself, standing on the wagon? The red cape and feathered helmet are so bright compared to the rest. It's a great way to draw attention to the showman. This reminds me a bit of Honoré Daumier, who also used lithography to capture everyday life with a satirical edge. Both artists seem to say that life is absurd, but art can help us laugh about it. Neither artist presents a fixed idea, they offer a stage for multiple interpretations.