Appelbloesem 1922

Here we have Appelbloesem, made by Johannes Frederik Engelbert ten Klooster, and it looks like a woodcut or linocut, something like that. It's all about the stark contrast of black ink on pale paper, and it's got this real graphic punch, you know? The interesting thing about this piece is how the artist captures the delicacy of the blossoms with such bold strokes. See how each petal is suggested with just a few quick cuts, it's like they're dancing on the branch. I like the big chunky shapes that make up the branches, all solid and strong, they really anchor the image and give it a sturdy feel. Ten Klooster reminds me of Emil Nolde who took printmaking in really interesting directions, exploring bold, simplified forms and playing with light and dark. It's all about finding that balance between control and letting the material do its thing, which, as any artist knows, is where the magic happens!