De krijger 1920

Johannes Frederik Engelbert ten Klooster made this woodcut, titled "De krijger", using bold strokes to carve out a powerful image. I like how he's embracing the process, letting the stark contrast of black and white define the scene. The figure dominates the space, his muscular form chiseled with confidence against a landscape of sharp, angular mountains. The texture is something else – you can almost feel the roughness of the wood, the deliberate cuts and gouges that bring the warrior to life. Notice the sky, how the lines create a sense of movement, and how the clouds seem to echo the warrior’s stance, all strength and defiance. Looking at this, I'm reminded of Käthe Kollwitz. Both artists weren’t afraid to use the graphic power of printmaking to make statements about the human condition. Art, after all, is a conversation, an ongoing dialogue across time, and I appreciate how ten Klooster adds his voice to it with such intensity.