Sanctuary 1939

Lynd Kendall Ward made this wood engraving, Sanctuary, at some point in his career and it’s a potent little image. Looking at Ward's technique, you can really see the hand of the artist. Those stark black and white contrasts aren't just about depicting light and shadow, they're about a kind of emotional intensity. Take the sun for example, it's not just shining; it’s radiating energy, almost threatening. The way the lines are carved gives everything a palpable sense of texture. And then there's the composition itself. It's all about contrasts: order and chaos, hope and despair. The figures on the tower, reaching up, juxtaposed with the destruction below, create this powerful tension. It reminds me a bit of Käthe Kollwitz, another artist who wasn't afraid to use stark imagery to convey deep human emotions. Art isn't about easy answers, it’s about holding space for all those conflicting feelings.