Christ before the High Council 1913

Wilhelm Morgner made this woodcut, *Christ before the High Council*, in 1915, simplifying the biblical scene to its most essential forms. The figures are reduced to graphic shapes, each cut with deliberate strokes to convey a sense of depth and emotion. The stark contrast between the black ink and the pale paper heightens the drama of the moment, reflecting the artist’s approach to art-making as a process of distillation and emotional expression. Look closely at how Morgner uses the negative space to define the figures; the contours are bold and decisive, yet there’s a vulnerability in their simplicity. The texture of the wood is palpable, adding a layer of rawness that resonates with the intensity of the subject matter. Notice the figure on the left – the way the shapes of the legs are formed is so dynamic. Morgner’s graphic style reminds me of Paula Modersohn-Becker, another artist working in Germany at the time, who also pushed the boundaries of representation. Ultimately, this print embraces ambiguity, inviting us to contemplate the complexities of faith and human judgment.