Voorspel gamelan 1921

Johannes Frederik Engelbert ten Klooster created this print, "Voorspel gamelan," using linocut, a relief printing technique. Linocut is a close relative of woodcut, but employs linoleum—the material often used for flooring—instead of wood. Here, the use of linoleum gives the image its distinctive character. The artist carves away areas of the linoleum, leaving raised areas that will receive ink. Because linoleum is softer and more pliable than wood, it allows for smoother, more fluid lines. This is evident in the sweeping drapery and stylized features of the figure, imbuing the artwork with a modern sensibility. Linocut also allows for the creation of bold contrasts, such as we see in the figure’s dark silhouette against the light background. The final print is the result of a direct physical process, where the artist’s hand guides the tools to shape the material, revealing the image through careful and precise labor. This process foregrounds the relationship between the artist and the material.