Greeting, from the portfolio "New European Graphics, Portfolio III: German Artists" 1912

Curator: August Macke's woodcut, "Greeting," bursts with a stark, almost primal energy. What do you make of it? Editor: It has a beautifully raw, unfinished quality. I'm immediately drawn to the figures—their forms are classical, yet their posture hints at some kind of weighty introspection. Curator: Absolutely. Macke was interested in the idea of primal states. The rider on the horse, the embracing figures, the single leaf in the foreground. These all strike me as potent symbols. Editor: The black and white contrast is so dramatic. It makes me think about how we, as humans, are constantly trying to find light in the darkness. Isn't it strange how such simple materials can stir up such complex feelings? Curator: It's more than strange; it's miraculous. It speaks to the enduring power of imagery to tap into our collective consciousness. I agree. It also shows us Macke's amazing ability to translate a profound feeling into a simple composition. Editor: A reminder that the simplest gestures are the most powerful, perhaps? Curator: Precisely. Macke created a space for contemplation of primal themes with a single, yet powerful image.