The Dance of Death II 1921

Ernst Barlach made this woodcut, titled The Dance of Death II, at some unknown date, and he uses the stark contrast of black ink on paper to create a scene that's both macabre and mesmerizing. The lines carve out forms with a directness that feels both primitive and deeply expressive. Look at the way he uses those parallel lines to suggest the folds of clothing and the shadows on the faces. There's a real tension between the flat surface of the print and the illusion of depth he creates. That crude way of carving lends a raw, visceral quality to the work. It's like each line is a statement, a deliberate act of choosing what to reveal and what to leave in darkness. And isn’t that what art is all about? Barlach’s work reminds me of Käthe Kollwitz, another German artist who used printmaking to explore themes of grief and social injustice. But where Kollwitz often focused on the suffering of individuals, Barlach seems more interested in the broader, almost allegorical aspects of human existence. Neither shies away from ambiguity.