De schoone slaapster 1929

Fré Cohen made this print, 'De schoone slaapster', using strong contrasts. It’s all about the push and pull between the black ink and the white paper, right? It's such a graphic way of telling a story. I love how the texture emerges from the process. Look at the way the lines carve out space and form, especially in the witch's cloak. There is so much depth created with simple marks and gestures. Notice the way the background fades out of focus, the negative space almost vibrates and gives the entire piece a mystical quality. The way the window and pillars behind the characters are rendered is striking. It’s as if Cohen is deliberately playing with our perception, reminding us that art is as much about what we don’t see as what we do. Cohen's work reminds me a little of Kathe Kollwitz, in the way she uses printmaking to convey emotionally potent narratives. Like all good art, it is an image that stays with you.