Extreme Measure, plate six from Intimacies 1898

Félix Vallotton created this woodcut, "Extreme Measure," using a single block of wood, meticulously carved to produce stark contrasts of black and white. Vallotton's embrace of woodcut, a craft medium, allowed him to challenge the prevailing hierarchies of the art world. The printmaking process, inherently reproducible, democratizes art, making it accessible beyond elite circles. The sharp, graphic quality of the woodcut emphasizes the emotional intensity of the scene, amplifying the tension between the figures. The labor-intensive process of carving each block contrasts sharply with the mass-produced imagery of the era. Vallotton reclaims control over the means of production, infusing the image with a handmade quality that resists the anonymity of industrialization. By choosing craft, Vallotton imbues "Extreme Measure" with layers of social commentary and artistic rebellion, blurring the lines between fine art and craft.