The story
is essentially one that could have been used in an Image d'Epinal  ,
or indeed could be seen as a relative of Struwwelpeter
- an excess (here gastronomic) leads to a punishment, and then to redemption.
What makes this a more modern concept is that the pictures are all about
scale, both in a psychological context, and in terms of what
drawing and compsoition can achieve. While the diminution of scale can
be seen as a variant on Alice in Wonderland, what JOB
does is explore the visual implications of this, invoking a sort of proto-surrealist
world of threat and forgiveness, the fusion of the ordinary and the marvellous.
The pacing
of the images through the books is exemplary and confident, note the transition
to silhouette and then back. The colour printing, as in French books of
this period, is superb - see also the work of Boutet de Monvel.
page size
22 x 29 cms |
