The Mirror 1922

Max Pechstein created this woodcut titled 'The Mirror' in 1922. The stark contrast of black ink against the paper immediately captures your attention, highlighting the angular forms and simplified shapes. The print depicts two women, one gazing into a mirror, rendered with bold lines and flattened perspective. The composition is structured around dynamic interplay of positive and negative space. Pechstein uses the woodcut medium to its full potential, carving thick, expressive lines that define the figures and objects. Note the way the artist employs the formal reduction of Expressionism, focusing on the emotional impact of the scene rather than representational accuracy. The rough texture and visible grain of the wood further enhance the artwork's raw, emotive quality. Consider how this print engages with the Expressionist movement's broader concerns. The artwork reflects anxieties about identity, representation, and the self in the modern world. The mirror here acts as a signifier, not only reflecting an image but also questioning the very nature of perception. As such, it challenges viewers to confront the complexities inherent in seeing and understanding ourselves.