New Brooms 1910

"New Brooms" by Helen Hyde is a woodblock print made in 1919, showing figures in a garden scene. Just imagine Hyde inking up the woodblocks, carefully layering colors, one block at a time. Look at the soft pinks, the way they give such a gentle feeling, and then the darker outlines bring a sense of depth to the composition. I wonder, was she thinking about her own childhood, or maybe the simple rhythms of daily life? The way these figures are positioned, bent over, working together, I can really feel the gentle sweep of the brooms. This has got something of the graphic punch of a Japanese print, but it’s also got this really intimate, personal touch. Like, she really observed the world in such a subtle way. You know, when I look at a print like this, I’m reminded that artists are always building on each other’s work. We are having this ongoing conversation, pushing each other to see the world a little bit differently.