Trumpeter (Trompeter) 1918

Lyonel Feininger’s ‘Trumpeter’ is a woodcut print, likely made in 1934. Here, the stark contrast between the cut-away wood and the remaining surface is all. It gives the composition an almost brutal quality. You can see the marks of the knife that he used to remove the material, especially in the sky. The linear cuts of the tool lend a texture and depth to the image, creating a subtle interplay of light and shadow. The printmaking process itself becomes a part of the visual language, contributing to the overall aesthetic of the work. Though seemingly simple, woodcut requires a high degree of skill. Every cut is final, demanding precision and careful planning. Feininger was very engaged with the social implications of labor. The directness and relative economy of woodcut surely appealed to his sensibilities. It’s a reminder that art is not just about the image, but also about the labor and the values embedded in the process of its creation.