The Lookout 1946

Hans Orlowski made this intense woodcut, The Lookout, with ink on paper sometime in the mid-20th century. I am immediately drawn to Orlowski’s process. You can see the mark-making in the varying widths of the gouge, giving the image texture and depth. The black ink is so dense, it feels like a physical presence, like you could run your fingers over the surface and feel the grooves. Look at the way Orlowski carved the lines around the figure’s face. See how they curve and intersect, creating a sense of depth and volume? I'm particularly drawn to the hand shielding the figure’s eyes. The lines are so delicate and precise, they almost look like wrinkles. The wrinkles imply age but also focus. Orlowski’s style reminds me of Käthe Kollwitz, another German artist known for her powerful and emotionally charged prints. Both artists were deeply engaged with the human condition. Ultimately, art is about seeing the world in new ways, embracing the beauty of ambiguity.