Vrouw die een ezel drijft 1921

"Vrouw die een ezel drijft" (Woman driving a donkey), a 1921 woodcut by Bernard Essers (1893-1945), is a striking example of graphic art. The stark black and white composition features a woman in a flowing gown leading a donkey along a shoreline, with a distant cityscape and boats in the background. The artist’s use of bold lines and stark contrasts creates a sense of drama and tension. Essers was a Dutch artist known for his woodcuts and lithographs, and this piece reflects his distinctive style, known for its strong lines and simplified forms. The composition suggests a narrative, inviting the viewer to imagine the woman’s journey and destination. This print is a powerful reminder of the expressive potential of woodcut, a technique that has been used for centuries to create both artistic and illustrative works.