Composition VIII - The Two Fighters Fight 1934

Werner Drewes made this abstract woodcut, Composition VIII, in 1937. It’s all about the push and pull of shapes carved into the wood, creating a high-contrast dance of black and white. The texture in this print is so cool - you can almost feel the grain of the wood, which Drewes hasn't tried to hide but used to his advantage. The stark contrast between the black and white really makes the composition pop, like these two forms are locked in a visual argument. Check out the bottom left corner, the way the small strokes almost become teeth. It reminds me of the work of some other German Expressionists, like Kirchner, who were also playing with abstraction to express inner turmoil and conflict. Ultimately, this piece is less about showing a literal fight, and more about giving us a glimpse into a world of conflicting energies. It is a testament to how simple shapes can convey complex emotions.