Boerenbedrijf before 1931

Else Berg made this woodcut, "Boerenbedrijf," which roughly translates to "Farm Business," with ink on paper, and I think the date is unknown. Looking at this print, I’m struck by how Berg uses the stark contrast of black and white to create this rural scene. The way she carves out the shapes, especially in the trees and the figure bent over their work, feels almost sculptural. You can sense the physical effort in the farmer's posture. See how Berg simplifies the forms, turning them into bold, graphic shapes? It’s like she's capturing the essence of the scene, not just a literal representation. The whole piece has a kind of raw, honest energy, like you're getting a glimpse into the real, unvarnished life of the farm. It reminds me of the German Expressionists, like Kirchner or Heckel, who were also using woodcuts to explore themes of modern life and alienation. It is interesting to see a women working in this style and on this subject matter when both were often dominated by men.