Op de Schelde before 1937

H. Vermeulen created this woodcut, Op de Schelde, and it’s like a little window into a breezy day at sea. The stark contrast of black ink on paper gives it a graphic punch, doesn't it? You can almost feel the wind whipping around those sails. The way the artist uses these thick, deliberate lines to carve out the water and clouds creates this feeling of movement, like everything's in constant flux. Look at how the clouds are all curly and soft, but the water's got these hard, horizontal lines. That contrast makes it really dynamic. And did you notice how the birds are just these tiny little Vs in the sky? It's the kind of simple choice that makes the whole thing feel so alive. It reminds me a bit of the German Expressionists, who were also playing with woodcuts to capture raw emotion. But Vermeulen's got a quieter, more contemplative vibe. It’s a little gem, hinting at the endless possibilities of art and interpretation.