Palucca 1930

This print, titled Palucca, was made by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, using a woodblock. It depicts a dancer in motion. Woodblock printing is an age-old process that requires skill and precision. A design is carved into a block of wood, with the remaining raised areas taking the ink. The block is then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. Kirchner's bold, angular style perfectly suits this medium, as you can see in the stark contrast between black and white, and the rough texture of the wood grain. It's a process that invites graphic simplicity, and the result is powerful. The choice of woodblock also reflects the artist's interest in non-academic traditions. Woodcut was the original printmaking technique, used for playing cards, and other everyday images. By embracing this accessible mode of production, Kirchner challenges the traditional hierarchy between fine art and popular culture. He also brings the ethos of labor to the forefront, where materials and making are central to understanding the cultural significance of the work.