Almost 1929

Rockwell Kent made this wood engraving titled ‘Almost’ at some point in his career, with just a few tools and a whole lot of skill. The stark contrast of black and white isn't just a stylistic choice; it's about how we see, how we perceive the world in simple terms. There’s a real physicality to wood engraving, isn’t there? You can almost feel Kent’s hand guiding the tool, carving away at the surface to reveal the image. I’m drawn to the way he renders light, those sharp vertical lines creating a kind of radiant energy around the figure and the tree. Look at the subtle curves of the figure. There's a tension in the contrast between the smooth skin and the rough bark of the tree, it's almost like he's wrestling with nature, or maybe finding solace in it. Kent was always exploring these themes of nature, man, and struggle. You can see echoes of artists like Kathe Kollwitz in his work, especially in the way he uses black and white to convey powerful emotions. But Kent brings his own rugged individualism to the table. Ultimately, ‘Almost’ reminds us that art is never about fixed answers, but about opening up possibilities for interpretation and contemplation.