Meiboom 1930

This is 'Meiboom,' made by Fré Cohen, probably around 1930. Look at how Cohen carved away at the block to reveal a dancing maypole scene. I can almost feel the artist's hand moving, deciding where to cut, how deep to go, each slice a confident step in bringing this image to life. I think she was interested in the interplay between shadow and light, using stark black lines against the pale paper to create depth and movement. The figures, so full of life, seem to be caught mid-twirl, a celebration unfolding right before our eyes. It feels like an invitation to join the dance, to lose oneself in the rhythm and joy of the moment. Cohen's choice of such a graphic style reminds me of early expressionist woodcuts, but there's also a playful quality here. Artists are always borrowing, and we are always building upon each other's ideas, like one big conversation across time. Painting, like any art form, is an act of discovery.