Dance 1926

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner made this woodcut, Dance, using blocks and ink to create a scene in pinks and blacks. The process is so clear in this piece. I love how the colors aren't blended or subtle. It’s like Kirchner is shouting, "This is how it’s made!" Look at the way the figures are outlined with bold black lines, almost like a comic book but way more intense. You can almost feel the pressure of the blade cutting into the wood. The pink areas feel almost violent, clashing against the stark black. It makes you think about the physical effort involved, the way his hand moved to carve the image. This isn’t smooth or polished, it’s raw. It reminds me a bit of Munch, who had a similar interest in capturing raw emotion through printmaking. The woodcut becomes like a primal scream. It's a messy, human, and deeply affecting expression.