Basilio, Jeune Garcon de Saipan Tenat Des Coquillages. Marianes 1934

Paul Jacoulet made this print, Basilio, Jeune Garcon de Saipan Tenat Des Coquillages. Marianes, with woodblocks, which means there’s a lot of room for precise lines and areas of flat colour. It’s interesting to think about how Jacoulet approached this process with such patience. I’m drawn to the way the lines are used to define the boy’s form, especially in the face and around the shells. There's a kind of double line, almost like a shadow, that gives them a bit of depth, but also feels decorative. Then there’s the subtle use of colour in his skin—it's not just one tone, but a mix of light and shadow that gives it a naturalistic feel. And those shells! They’re not just shells, they’re almost like characters themselves, with their own spiky personalities. It makes me think about Hokusai and his fascination with the natural world. Art is a conversation across time, echoing and answering.