Portret van Carl Hohn 1919

This is ‘Portret van Carl Hohn,’ a linocut by Johannes Frederik Engelbert ten Klooster. The stark contrast of black ink on what looks like raw linen immediately grabs you. It's an image constructed from bold, graphic shapes. You can see the hand of the artist so clearly in the confident cuts that define the face. I love how ten Klooster uses the negative space to suggest form. Notice the way the light seems to catch the planes of the face, all achieved through the absence of ink. The beard is a flurry of curved lines, giving a sense of movement and liveliness. It's the most playful element in an otherwise serious portrait. This piece reminds me a bit of some of the German Expressionist woodcuts, like those by Kirchner. There's a similar rawness and intensity, a willingness to embrace the imperfections of the medium. Ultimately, it's this directness and simplicity that makes the image so powerful. It's not trying to be anything it's not, and that's what I find so appealing.