Susanna and the Elders 1916 - 1917

This is Susanna and the Elders by Christian Rohlfs; a woodcut print. Rohlfs has used the boldest strokes to render the figures in this scene, chopping away at the block to create stark contrasts. It’s like he dove right into the wood with a chisel and didn't stop until the story was told. Check out how the heavy, dark lines carve out Susanna's form, a figure of fear and vulnerability, the lines practically vibrate with tension. Then there are the leering elders, their presence looming with crude, almost caricatured features. And look at the way Rohlfs uses the grain of the wood to create texture. It's not just about depicting a scene; it's about the physicality of the medium. There’s a raw, almost aggressive quality to it, reminding me a little of some of the German Expressionists. Art is so great because it's an ongoing conversation, isn't it? Each artist riffing off the last, creating something new.