Titelhoofd met een koeienstal 1893 - 1927

This woodcut called Titelhoofd met een koeienstal was made by Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof. I just love how Dijsselhof uses the stark contrast of black ink on the light paper to create this image. It's all about the push and pull of opposites. Look at the way the artist has carved out the image, leaving these tiny little lines and textures. It's almost like they're building up the image bit by bit, letting the material – the wood, the ink, the paper – have a say in the final result. Notice the figure on the left, see how the artist used these thick outlines to almost trap the figure in the stall. It’s these little details that give the piece so much depth. I’m reminded of other printmakers like Edvard Munch who also used the medium of woodcut to express complex emotions through simplified forms. For me, it's a great example of how art can be both simple and profound, all at the same time.