Merry X-Mas from the Zorachs c. 1920

Marguerite Zorach probably made this black and white print as a Christmas card for friends and family. I love the way the artist uses simple tools to cut away at the wood, so the figures emerge with a strong, graphic presence. Look how Zorach lets the material do its thing. You can almost feel the gouge of the knife making its way through the wood. The contrast between black and white makes the image pop, but it’s the texture that really grabs me. The lines aren’t perfect; they wiggle and waver, giving the print a handmade, personal feel. See the squares in the figure on the right? They remind me of a quilt, each one slightly different. Zorach’s print reminds me of the German Expressionist woodcuts of the early 20th century. Both approaches use a similar bold, expressive style. But where the Expressionists often used woodcut to convey angst, Zorach brings a sense of warmth and intimacy to the medium. Art’s like a conversation, and Zorach has something unique to say.