Aanvang van de dans, het rijzen 1921

Johannes Frederik Engelbert ten Klooster made this print, 'Aanvang van de dans, het rijzen', using a woodcut, and it feels like it's all about capturing a moment, a gesture, a feeling. I love the stark contrast here. The black ink against the off-white paper creates such a dramatic, almost theatrical effect. It’s like the artist is playing with light and shadow, simplifying everything down to its essence. Look how he uses these bold, confident lines to define the figure, the dress. Notice the way the fabric drapes and folds. There is a real sense of movement, of the dance beginning. The woman’s stance, the way she holds herself. You can almost feel the anticipation, the energy. I’m reminded of Matisse and his exploration of line and form, particularly his paper cut-outs. There's a similar sense of freedom and fluidity. Art is a conversation across time, an ongoing exploration. Sometimes what matters isn't what you see, but what the art makes you feel.