Confusion in City c. 1938

John F. Stenvall made this woodcut, "Confusion in City," using just black ink on paper. Looking at how the black ink sits thick in some parts and thinner in others, you can tell he really dug into that wood, embracing the process. I love the raw, tactile feel of the print. The way the cityscape rises up with these chunky lines against the sky gives it such a gritty urban energy, like you can feel the city's pulse. And then, at the bottom, you see these little figures almost dancing. It's a beautiful contrast, this rigid architecture versus the free-flowing movement of people. Notice how the bridge has very sharp angled lines, drawing your eye to the horizon. Stenvall reminds me of someone like Milton Avery, in the way he captures such a distinct mood with minimal means. It makes you think about how artists can create such evocative images, tapping into something universal while leaving space for everyone to see something different in it.