Wilhelm M. Busch captures a specific mood or situation with an economy of lines in these charming small size drawings. They were published in the 1960 German book "Zuweilen Lohnt es sich zu Weilen" (It pays to stop and smell the roses… very loosely translated).
The printing size for each illustration is no larger than 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches. I wonder what the actual drawing size was.
The text is a collection of phrases comprising simple words of wisdom.
As usual I love the way characters relate to one another. Solid compositions and believable perspective, drawn in a style where every line counts. A joy to look at!
This is a phenomenal sketch. Three characters, three different attitudes. Evidently the boy has done something that troubles his parents. Look at the guilt in the kid's body pose. From his lowered head to the pouty lips...perfection. The mother seems to be trying to find out what really happened. I love her facial angle, and the stretched arm reaching for the boy signals some sympathy.
Father is pacing up and down in the back, he is probably contemplating what punishment his son might receive. You couldn't draw and stage this type of situation any better.
