Ahmed, de grootspreker c. 1902

Jules Hénault made this print, Ahmed, de grootspreker, at an unknown date using a printing press with colored ink. The printing technique gives everything a flattened appearance, but within that, there's a charming use of line to create volume and shadow. It feels like a quick and resourceful way of working, embracing the limitations of the medium. The color palette is warm and earthy, dominated by shades of brown, ochre, and green. The artist builds up the image in distinct layers. The lines are sharp and defined, and the colors are applied within them, like a coloring book. Look at the figures; the way the folds in their clothing are suggested by simple, repeated lines. It’s like art is a continuous game of telephone, a conversation that stretches across time, each artist riffing on what came before. We can’t tell a fixed story, but we can open our minds to the possibilities.