Liggende uitgemergelde man 1894 - 1935

Mathieu Lauweriks made this black and white print, Liggende uitgemergelde man, using wood, and with a real sense of drama. The stark contrast between the black and white areas gives the impression of deep shadows and bright light, like a scene from a theatrical production. The lines are bold and decisive, which adds to the emotional intensity. Look at the lines radiating from the figure’s head, they almost suggest a halo, but there is also an antenna rising from the middle of their head. Does this symbolize knowledge or something else? The texture looks rough and uneven, which makes me think about the physical effort it took to carve the wood. It's like the artist was wrestling with the material to bring this image to life. I see echoes of Edvard Munch's expressive woodcuts, where the raw, gestural marks convey a sense of psychological turmoil. But, as with all art, this piece has its own unique language and asks us to consider themes of suffering and the human condition.