Illustration to Voltaire, "La Princesse de Babilone" 1941

This is Imre Reiner's illustration to Voltaire's "La Princesse de Babilone", a flurry of lines and tones that capture the story's wild energy. The mark-making here is all about immediacy, about getting the idea down fast and letting the process show, the controlled chaos that feels so raw and alive. Look at how Reiner uses these quick, confident lines to build up the forms, especially on the horses. They're not just outlines; they're scratches, scribbles, and hatchings that create texture, movement, and a sense of depth all at once. The ink is a deep, rich black that contrasts against the light paper, creating a strong visual punch. Notice how he varies the pressure and direction of the lines to suggest the curves of the horse's muscles, the flow of the princess's hair, the drama of the moment. It's like Reiner is channeling the spirit of someone like Picasso, who could convey so much with just a few strokes. It reminds us that art is about exploration and discovery, that it’s okay to embrace the messy, imperfect, and unpredictable nature of the creative process.