Feast of Passover by Max Weber

Feast of Passover 1920

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print, woodcut

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narrative-art

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print

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figuration

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expressionism

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woodcut

Dimensions: image: 12.7 x 17.6 cm (5 x 6 15/16 in.) sheet: 16.5 x 25.4 cm (6 1/2 x 10 in.)

Copyright: National Gallery of Art: CC0 1.0

Max Weber made this compelling woodcut, Feast of Passover. The whole thing is in muted browns and creams, and what I find so interesting is how the marks are so roughly hewn, like a sculptor attacking a block of wood. Look at the way the figures emerge from the background, their faces carved with such directness and immediacy. The table in front of them is this chaotic block of texture. It's not just a table; it's a field of experience. There’s a kind of awkwardness to the lines and forms that I really admire because it’s so raw and honest. For me, this rawness brings to mind the work of someone like Elizabeth Catlett. Both share this amazing ability to convey powerful emotions with a simplified, almost primal, visual language. It’s all about the process, not the perfect image. This work feels like a conversation. It welcomes multiple interpretations, and refuses to be pinned down.

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