Abstracte compositie 1919

Erich Wichmann made this abstract composition sometime around 1919, likely using a woodcut or linocut technique. The high contrast between the stark white shapes and the dark, textured background creates a real visual punch. Looking closely, you can see how Wichmann carved away at the block to leave these bold forms. The process itself is so apparent – you can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the material, making decisions with each cut. It’s like a dance between control and accident. I’m really drawn to the jagged edges and the way the light catches the rough surface of the paper. There’s a kind of raw energy to it. Wichmann’s work reminds me a bit of the German Expressionists, like Kirchner or Heckel. They were also playing with abstraction and using bold, graphic forms to express intense emotions. This piece feels like a moment of experimentation, a step towards something new. It's a reminder that art is always in conversation with itself, evolving and changing over time.