Oost-Indische kers 1919

Julie de Graag made this woodcut, Oost-Indische kers, with ink on paper. The way she simplifies the flower shapes and uses flat colors makes me think about art as a series of decisions. What to include, what to leave out? It's all part of the process. There's something really satisfying about the texture of a woodcut. You can almost feel the grain of the wood and the pressure of the printing press. De Graag uses a limited palette, mostly reds, oranges, and blacks, but she makes it work. The colors create a sense of warmth and energy. And those little triangles along the bottom edge? They remind me of tiny teeth, adding a touch of playful unease. I’m reminded of Hilma af Klint, another artist interested in nature's hidden geometries. Both artists show us that art isn't about perfect representation, but about finding new ways of seeing and feeling the world around us.