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This is just a tiny irrelevant detail but from where does the painting appear in cow's horn in the first frame on page 16?

Hergé must have left some frames off, the frames in which Archie rushes on the picture.

On page 2 in fr. 2. there is another illogicality but this issue has been discussed earlier as far as I remember.

The painting may have been among various items in the wings waiting to be brought on stage as part of the act following that of the conjurer.

And for that matter who is Archie? The freckled teenager from the 'humour' comics? I don't remember him appearing in any of the Tintin albums.

Take a look at Picaros page 31 3rd frame. :-)

Is that not an easel to the left of the frame? Perhaps the painting was resting on that before it got spiked on the horn.

It is! Thanks, now it makes sense. :-)

No, I realise the name 'Archie' refers to Captain Haddock announcing that his name is 'Archibald'. But he wasn't in his right mind at the time, so how can we believe him? And more importantly, the name 'Archibald' is used once, and 'Archie' never, so it doesn't seem the right name to use. What's wrong with just calling him 'Haddock' or 'Captain Haddock'? Just curious.

Nothing wrong. Haddock it is. :-D

Painting is already explained, but I'd like to point out that things happening between the frames is an unique strength for comics. That's how movement and rhytm are made. It's a chaotic scene, and painting appearing almost from nowhere just underlines the chaos when Haddock rushes through the backstage.

I think the painting is a good example of how and why Hergé is a great artist. Often it's difficult to put your finger on it, but that's a very good example. The whole scene is brilliant: Haddock being clumsy, then we move to the stage where the magician is doing his tricks as usual. First the noise, then a large picture of Haddock's entrance: surprised faces of the audience, even the bat looking mystified. And then Haddock falling into the drum and full stop.

mondrian

That scene is one of my favourite scenes and I agree your wise point of views.

Herge's drawings are so well-planned that you seldom come across illogicalities, every detail is in its logical place. The painting didn't seem to have any explanation until Harrock noticed the easel.

As I said some years ago we dicussed why Milou (pg 2 fr 2) all the sudden was annoyed without any noticable reason. Herge had left few frames out, frames in which Milou was chasing after rabbits or fox. Tintin told him to stop hunting which annoyed Milou. But this time nothing was left out.