Zeemeermin 1925

André Lhote created this small monochrome woodcut titled 'Zeemeermin.' The composition depicts a mermaid reclining amidst stylized waves, with a ship visible in the background. The stark contrast between black and white creates a visually striking effect, emphasizing the linear qualities of the work. Lhote’s formal approach reflects his involvement with Cubism and his interest in reducing natural forms to their essential geometric structures. The simplification of the mermaid's form and the reduction of the waves to rhythmic, parallel lines demonstrate a clear effort to synthesize naturalism with abstract design. The use of bold lines to delineate forms flattens the image, emphasizing its two-dimensionality and its constructed nature. This print invites us to consider how Lhote blends classical mythological themes with modernist visual language. It suggests that form and structure, rather than mere representation, carry the weight of meaning.