Yesterday I went to the 'Infinite Jest' exhibition at the Met - a special collection of historical caricature and satirical drawings from the Renaissance to the present.
Early days my own drawings were deeply influenced by 19th century satirical artists; Thomas Rowlandson, George Cruikshank, Grandville, Dore. I drew with a crowquille pen point and even took on a 'nome de plume' litterally - Gillott is an old brand of pen points. That's how madly immersed I was.
I was crazy for Rowlandson.
And loved his pastel colors.
JJ Grandville turned everyone into animals.
'The exaggeration and juxtaposition of body types has been a longtime staple of humorous imagery'
'Le Triomphe de la Coquetterie' - two women fight over an enormous feathered bonnet - has anything changed?
Paris lines waiting to get into la musee are just the same.
And 'Free days' at the museum (1st Sunday of the month) are just as crowded by Daumier.
Waiting in train stations was the same except no smart phones.
Waiters still race about madly, 'Voila, voila, voila!'
Extreme Paris fashions? toujours le meme choise.
I was getting a Kale cooking lesson when I noticed a petite galerie des Gillotts from my crosshatch period - mon dieu! Don't miss all the wit and fun at the Met's Infinite Jest expo on till March 4, 2012. Perhaps I'll get out my crowquill pens and play a bit.
BONJOUR INFINITE JEST!
