Eric Carle – the Why

Herr Krauss. That’s the why.

Herr Krauss secretly showed Eric Carle modern, expressionistic, abstract art. “‘Just look at the looseness, the freedom and–ah!–the beauty of these paintings. The Nazis have no idea what art is; they are charlatans!’”

Eric Carle’s art teacher praised the freedom and looseness of his drawing and painting. “‘I’m only permitted to teach realistc art,’” Krauss said. But, he secretly showed Carle the kinds of art not allowed in Germany at that time. “‘My green lion, polka-dotted donkey, and other animals painted in the ‘wrong’ colors were really born that day seventy years ago,’” said Eric Carle.

This information comes from back matter in The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse by Eric Carle (2011), an Homage to Franz Marc. The text in this book is a single sentence that crosses several pages of brightly colored animals. Each one fills a two-page spread: a blue horse, a red crocodile, a yellow cow, a pink rabbit, a green lion, an orange elephant, a purple fox, a black polar bear, and a polka-dotted donkey. And yet, it’s more than color. There’s a respect for realistic features of the animals; there’s light; there’s life.

I was lucky enough to find Animals Animals (1989) at a library sale. Mammals, birds, and insects fill two-page spreads in this masterpiece. They’re in colors more similar to those found in nature. Shades of blue make up the octopus’ body and orange suckers dot its tentacles. The elephant is a mammoth collection of grays. Penguins are black and white. Each one is accompanied by a poem. For example,

“The Duck” by Ogden Nash

“Behold the duck. It does not cluck. A cluck it lacks. It quacks. It is especially fond Of a puddle or pond. When it dines or sups, it bottoms up. “

“Enigma Sartorial” by Lucy W. Rhu

“Consider the Penguin. He’s smart as can be– Dressed in his dinner clothes Permanently. You never can tell When you see him about, If he’s just coming in Or just going out!”

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is in Amherst, Massachusetts. The “exhibitions showcase a variety of artists, themes, and styles. Our three galleries host six original shows a year, so there is always something new to see!” If you can’t make the trip, you can view online exhibitions. It’s a colorful, lively adventure.