Zwemmende eend 1923 - 1924

Julie de Graag made this woodcut called "Swimming Duck", sometime between 1900 and 1924. It’s a simple image, just black and white, but it’s got this incredible sense of movement. You can tell how much the artist understands the essence of the duck, she has distilled it into a few essential lines. I love the way the black ink pushes up against the paper. It’s not shy. It's like she’s carving out space for the duck to exist. The shape of the duck itself has this gentle curve, like it’s floating. It reminds me of Art Nouveau, but it’s also got something raw and honest about it. Look at how the neck gracefully extends into its head. It's minimal, yes, but also so graceful and full of life. It reminds me a little bit of some woodcuts by Gauguin, though much more simplified. Ultimately art is always a conversation, an exchange of ideas. This little duck is a testament to that, and a beautiful reminder that sometimes less really is more.