Bonhomme
Bonhomme
MATTHIEU BONHOMME
CHARLOTTE IMPÉRATRICE
The Princess and the Archduke (Vol. 1),
Dargaud 2018
Original plate no. 8.
Signed.
Indian ink on paper
34.9 × 46.9 cm (13.74 × 18.46 in.)
The atmosphere is bucolic. At the very beginning of Volume 1,
we witness a game of seduction between Maximilien
and Charlotte. Like a bee flitting from
flower to flower, the author takes us from the garden
to the greenhouse, alternating between small and medium-sized panels,
emphasizing the finesse and elegance of the line rather than
the inking, and varying the framing—sometimes to
highlight the developing relationship between the two
protagonists, and other times to create a sense of suspense
surrounding the gardener’s suspicious role. Note
the superb work done on the princess’s
expressions—sometimes surprised, charmed, or intrigued.
“In panel 3, I enjoyed drawing this little
scene where the two of them are under the wisteria,
which brings to mind a Toile de Jouy pattern. It looks like
a little vintage illustration. I wanted to
give it a bucolic atmosphere, even though they
are locked in a greenhouse with spies.
That freshness of nature seemed to me to
perfectly complement this game of seduction.” M.B.
Bonhomme
MATTHIEU BONHOMME
CHARLOTTE IMPÉRATRICE
The Princess and the Archduke (Vol. 1),
Dargaud 2018
Original plate no. 8.
Signed.
Indian ink on paper
34.9 × 46.9 cm (13.74 × 18.46 in.)
The atmosphere is bucolic. At the very beginning of Volume 1,
we witness a game of seduction between Maximilien
and Charlotte. Like a bee flitting from
flower to flower, the author takes us from the garden
to the greenhouse, alternating between small and medium-sized panels,
emphasizing the finesse and elegance of the line rather than
the inking, and varying the framing—sometimes to
highlight the developing relationship between the two
protagonists, and other times to create a sense of suspense
surrounding the gardener’s suspicious role. Note
the superb work done on the princess’s
expressions—sometimes surprised, charmed, or intrigued.
“In panel 3, I enjoyed drawing this little
scene where the two of them are under the wisteria,
which brings to mind a Toile de Jouy pattern. It looks like
a little vintage illustration. I wanted to
give it a bucolic atmosphere, even though they
are locked in a greenhouse with spies.
That freshness of nature seemed to me to
perfectly complement this game of seduction.” M.B.
