Zittende vrouw before 1931

Else Berg created this woodcut print, "Zittende Vrouw," likely in Germany, where she was active in the early 20th century. It depicts a seated woman in a simplified, almost stylized manner, surrounded by nature. The image embodies a return-to-nature theme popular among German Expressionists, but also recalls the primitivism of Paul Gauguin and the Nabis. This aesthetic was both an embrace of pre-industrial life and a rejection of academic artistic norms. Berg’s work reflects the socio-political context of the Weimar Republic, where artists experimented freely with form and subject matter. The print's simplified forms and stark contrasts, achieved through the woodcut technique, contribute to its emotional intensity. As art historians, we can delve into exhibition records, artist manifestos, and critical reviews of the period to further understand Berg's place within this vibrant cultural moment. The true meaning of the artwork lies not just in the image itself, but in its rich historical context.