San Miquel - Taxco c. 1936 - 1939

Curator: Looking at Carl Pappe's woodcut, "San Miguel - Taxco," created around 1936 to 1939, what immediately strikes you? Editor: Its austerity! I mean, that high contrast. The severity of the light makes the church feel like some kind of...spiritual fortress. Bleak but powerful. Curator: Indeed. Pappe's expert use of woodcut leverages the stark contrast between light and shadow to define form. Notice the geometric stylization. The building's architecture is simplified into nearly abstract shapes. Editor: True. It almost borders on expressionism, right? The building isn't just depicted, but evoked through these powerful graphic shapes and almost theatrical lighting. I get the feeling it's more about what Taxco *feels* like than what it objectively *looks* like. Curator: That feeling you’re describing stems from the visual grammar typical of woodcuts—the deep blacks juxtaposed with the untouched paper create texture and volume with minimalist detail. The architectural realism melts into mood. Editor: Exactly. And it's definitely invoking something bigger than just the church itself. I see it reflecting some collective memory, a sort of imposing symbol for its community and roots. It also seems to hint at the Mexican Muralism movement... Is that right? Curator: Yes, the social and political consciousness of Mexican Muralism has influenced many artists beyond actual murals, in search of monumental expressions of their history and national identity. Editor: You can feel the history radiating off of this piece! Thinking about it as cultural identity rendered through architecture and stark shadow, the emotional impact deepens. I love how the bare trees also give it a ghost-like aspect. Curator: Agreed, this print exemplifies the successful balance between realism, stylization, and emotional engagement within its medium, giving "San Miguel-Taxco" enduring value. Editor: Pappe definitely speaks to that idea about form and feeling uniting to tell deeper cultural tales through an individual's experience. A pretty powerful statement chiseled out on wood.