Ships (Schiffe) 1919

Lyonel Feininger made this print of ships using bold black linework against a red background. Imagine him, block in hand, carefully carving around the shapes, each cut a decisive act. I wonder what Feininger was thinking about as he made this. The texture feels raw, almost like the ships are battling against a stormy sea. There’s a real push and pull here. The sharp lines create a sense of depth, but also flatten the image, making it feel like a dream or a memory. Notice how the masts of the central ship reach upward, almost piercing the sky. It's a dynamic, powerful gesture, and the red background is a stage for the journey of these boats. Like other painters, Feininger was in conversation with the world around him, responding and reacting, making something new. It’s like he's inviting us to set sail into our own imagination.