Meiboom 1930

Fré Cohen made this linocut, called "Meiboom," which means Maypole, sometime around 1930, using simple tools to carve the design into linoleum. It's amazing how the black ink contrasts with the white paper to create this vibrant scene. You can almost feel the energy of the dance! There’s something about the rough texture that really grabs me. The way the figures are outlined, kind of clunky, but full of life. It’s so direct, you know? Look at the maypole itself, the way it is rendered with very simple shapes, but how it brings movement to the whole composition. The shapes feel more important than the story they are telling. It reminds me a bit of some early woodcuts but with a modern twist. Anyway, it’s a great reminder that art doesn’t always need to be slick or complicated to be powerful.