Oost-Indische kers 1919

This color woodcut of nasturtiums was made by Julie de Graag, though we don’t know exactly when. I’m just imagining De Graag in her studio, carving these lines, figuring out how to make the image work using just a few blocks. I can almost feel the pressure of the tool in her hand, cutting away at the wood, trying to get those shapes just right. The way she plays with symmetry and pattern is quite striking. The flowers almost look like faces, staring back at us. Red and orange petals, a dark background... it’s a bold palette. It's a reminder that artists are always in conversation with one another across time, borrowing and riffing off each other's ideas. It also shows that painting isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about embracing the questions and seeing where they lead us.