Haan Possibly 1901 - 1905

This small woodcut of a rooster, 'Haan', was made by Julie de Graag, though when exactly is uncertain. It is a bold image, but so minimal - just black ink on paper. Look at the way De Graag uses only what she needs to describe the cocky bird. She carves away at the woodblock to leave only what is necessary; solid shapes for the head and body, rhythmic lines to suggest the tail feathers. It's a high contrast image, giving it clarity. The texture of the paper is visible through the ink, and it softens the hard, graphic nature of the woodcut. It reminds me of German Expressionist prints, but with a simplified, more decorative feel. There's a real economy of means here, a distillation of form that makes it sing. Art is always a conversation, a kind of echo chamber through time.