The 'pregnant moment'

In discussing pictorial narratives there is one big question — and that is whether you can tell a story in one picture. One technique is as German writer Gotthold Ephraim-Lessing described it, 'a pregnant moment'. The pregnant moment technique is when one image encompasses a variety of situations and events seemingly happening at the same time. Often this moment in time is representing the climax of a well known story, and the technique is most commonly used in painting. Academic Emma Kafalenos states that Lessing's 'pregnant moment' is as valid as a sequential narrative because "we ask ourselves what has happened, what is about to occur, and where we are in the sequence of a narrative." 'When thinking of Kafelenos' description, I can't help but think of James Jean's sketchbooks. Although they aren't a traditional moment in a well-known myth or story, I see a moment in time and can't help but be curious of the full story.