Portret van C.P.M. Romme 1929

This is Meijer Bleekrode’s, 'Portret van C.P.M. Romme', a woodcut print. It's all about stark contrasts and sharp angles, isn't it? Bleekrode’s process seems less about blending and more about decisive cuts, each line carving out form and shadow. Look closely at the ear – it's like a geometric puzzle, a series of precise shapes forming a surprisingly recognizable human feature. The texture isn't just about what's there, but what's been taken away. This subtractive process, where the artist carves away at the block, has a certain finality. This kind of sharp contrast reminds me of the graphic work of someone like Félix Vallotton. I think both artists use black and white to explore the human form through bold, unflinching lines, where ambiguity makes room for a powerful visual statement.