Gestrafte vrijpostigheid 1876 - 1893

This is a drawing by Albert Quantin, made around the turn of the 20th century, called "Gestrafte Vrijpostigheid." It presents as a comic strip with a grid of scenes, each employing precise linework and soft washes of color to tell a story. The composition is dynamic, guiding the viewer's eye through a sequence of events. The narrative unfolds through a series of interactions, notably involving a central figure, a monk, and a host of dogs. The spatial relations are ingeniously constructed, creating a sense of depth and movement. The artist uses simple yet effective visual cues to indicate progression and consequence. Quantin plays with semiotic codes; the monk's attire, the dogs' behavior, and the overall setting speak to themes of power, transgression, and perhaps social commentary. This piece destabilizes conventional notions of authority and control, offering a critique embedded within its formal structure. The arrangement of the panels and the use of caricature invite us to question the boundaries between representation and reality.