Abstracte compositie 1920 - 1924

Erich Wichmann created this mezzotint, “Abstracte compositie,” in April 1920. This abstract print, with its wispy lines and subtle gradations of tone, reflects the artistic experimentation that followed the First World War. Made in the Netherlands, it shows an artist who aligns himself with international trends in abstraction. But it also hints at the disruption and trauma of the war years. The Netherlands remained neutral during the conflict, but Dutch society wasn't untouched by it, and many artists felt a sense of disillusionment with traditional artistic conventions. Wichmann's choice of mezzotint, a laborious and technically demanding printmaking process, suggests a deliberate rejection of mass production and a commitment to handcrafted art. Studying Wichmann's printmaking techniques, and the artistic circles in which he moved, can offer a deeper understanding of the cultural shifts taking place in the Netherlands and the wider European world at this time.