The Warbonnett c. 1923

"The Warbonnett" is a black ink block print on paper by Carl Oscar Borg. Look closely and imagine Borg carefully carving into a block of wood or linoleum. Think about the level of patience and detail. The black lines create a dramatic contrast with the brown paper, giving the image a stark, graphic quality. Borg seems to want to depict the dignity and strength of the figure. The lines create texture and depth, especially in the warbonnet, where each feather is individually rendered, flowing from the subject's head. I’m reminded of woodcuts by artists like Gauguin, where the grain of the wood becomes part of the image, or even some of the German Expressionists. Although those comparisons are stylistically quite different from Borg’s image, they share a commitment to the medium and the power of the carved line. It is a testament to the possibilities of printmaking.