New Year's Card 1949

Hans Alexander Mueller made this New Year's card, date unknown, by cutting into a block and printing it, probably more than once, given the colours. What I like about it is how the image emerges, not from trying to copy something exactly, but from the process itself, from the marks made by the cutting tool. Look at how the colours interact, the grey, the red, the turquoise, and the yellow. The texture feels almost velvety, and there is a tension between the flatness of the print and the illusion of depth. Notice how the marks around the vase and flowers aren't just outlines; they define the forms. This reminds me a little of the German Expressionist woodcuts, like those by Emil Nolde, where the rough, angular cuts add to the emotional intensity. It’s a reminder that art isn’t about perfection. It’s about seeing the world in new ways, and maybe wishing someone happy new year.