Untitled (Fiesta) 1937

Helen Louise Beccard made this woodcut, Untitled (Fiesta), by carving into a block, leaving only the image to stand in relief, like some kind of reverse sculpture. The image is then inked and printed onto paper. The density of detail is amazing: a busy marketplace filled with people, food, and tents. It's a snapshot of community, alive with the energy of the fiesta. I bet Beccard really took her time with the process to create such an intricate scene. Each slice into the wood is a decision, a mark that can’t be easily erased, and this commitment really gives the image a vibrant directness. I’m imagining Beccard carefully selecting each scene and then thinking about how to compose the image so that our eyes move around the image to take in the full sense of the hustle and bustle of the fiesta. I always love seeing how artists of different eras interpret similar themes, each bringing their own vision and style. It's like they're all in conversation across time, inspiring and challenging each other.