Die Ziege (The Goat) Possibly 1920

Richard Seewald made this image called The Goat using a printmaking process that’s all about bold choices. See how he's carved away the block to leave these stark, contrasting shapes? It’s like a dance between light and shadow, revealing form through decisive cuts. The texture is so physical; you can almost feel the gouge of the tool that made it. I am drawn to the way the solid black areas define the space around the goat, creating an almost surreal atmosphere. The sharp, dark lines against the pale paper bring a real drama to the piece and remind me of the German Expressionists. This print talks to the long history of printmaking, maybe even earlier woodcuts, where simplification and impact were everything. It invites us to see the world in terms of simple shapes and striking contrasts, and I think, at the end of the day, that’s what art’s all about.