Sunrise 1914

Erich Heckel made this woodcut, called Sunrise, with graphic black ink on paper. Look closely, and you can see how the wood grain itself becomes part of the image, adding a layer of texture. Heckel's marks are decisive. See how he uses these stark lines to build up the image, almost like carving out the forms from the light. There’s a real physicality to the process, like he’s wrestling with the material. The jagged edges and sharp angles create a feeling of tension, even in a tranquil scene. Notice the sun, a solid black circle, and how it contrasts with the frenetic energy of the lines around it. It's like a moment of stillness amidst chaos. Heckel was part of the German Expressionist group Die Brücke, and you can see their influence here, the way he uses bold contrasts and simplified forms to convey emotion. Think about Kirchner or Schmidt-Rottluff, artists who weren't afraid to push boundaries and challenge our perceptions. Ultimately, Heckel invites us to see the world through his eyes, a world of raw emotion and visceral experience.