Verdriet 1914

"Verdriet" (meaning "Sorrow" in Dutch), a 1914 woodcut by Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita, depicts a solitary female figure standing in profile, her head bowed in grief. The artist uses a dark background and intricate lines to create a sense of melancholy and isolation, conveying the emotional state of the subject. The work, currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies de Mesquita's mastery of the woodcut technique, known for its bold lines and dramatic contrasts. This print showcases de Mesquita's powerful expressionism and exploration of human emotion, contributing to the evolution of graphic art in the early 20th century.