GABRIELLE VINCENT

GABRIELLE VINCENT ERNEST AND CELESTINE Noël chez Ernest et Célestine, Éditions Duculot 1983 Fin de partie, original illustration. Watercolor and pencil on paper 49.2 × 25.5 cm (19.37 × 10.04 in.) Ernest and Célestine's magical Christmas owes a great deal to Ernest's energy; in turn cook, musician and Santa Claus, he seems to need a break, and now a horde of little mice beg him to tell them a story. We don't know whether it's jealousy or concern at seeing her Ernest so exhausted - he's hosting a party for twenty or so mice - that's driving her to greater restraint; certainly a little of both; but we sense that the party's not quite over yet; some are eating, others are continuing to dress up, still others seem to be trying to make amends for their stupidity and are trying to straighten up the Christmas tree.