Kerstkaart met menselijke figuur en dieren 1906 - 1945

This is Reijer Stolk's Christmas card with a human figure and animals, made with printmaking, though we don't know exactly when. What strikes me is the density of the composition. The figures are packed in, like a visual puzzle. Look at the shapes that make up the human figure – they're abstract, almost geometric, but still convey a sense of movement. This suggests that Stolk was interested in the process of simplifying and abstracting forms to their essence. The texture comes from the physical act of carving the block, which creates a kind of rawness. It makes me think of German Expressionists like Kirchner, who also used woodcuts to convey intense emotions through simplified, angular forms. Ultimately, this little card speaks to the ongoing conversation between artists across time, each exploring new ways of seeing and interpreting the world around them. It’s a reminder that art is not about fixed meanings, but about embracing ambiguity and multiple interpretations.