Papoesche c. 1925

This is "Papoesche", a woodcut print by Johannes Frederik Engelbert ten Klooster. The stark contrast of black ink on paper immediately grabs you, a binary of light and dark where the process is laid bare. Look at the way ten Klooster carved out the figure, each line precise yet bold, creating a texture that's both rough and refined. You can almost feel the artist's hand at work, carving away at the woodblock, leaving behind this powerful image. The figure's strong stance and simplified features suggest a connection to primal forces, and the woodcut medium emphasizes that sense of raw, untamed energy. The lines create a certain dramatic quality in their thickness and the shadows which create the lines of the body. It reminds me of the German Expressionists, like Kirchner or Heckel, who used similar techniques to convey intense emotions and social commentary. But there's also something unique here, a personal touch that sets ten Klooster apart, showing the enduring power of art to connect us across time and movements.