Huizen aan de boulevard te Scheveningen 1927

Dick Ket’s woodcut, ‘Huizen aan de boulevard te Scheveningen’ uses stark black lines to depict a view of houses. There's something about the way the houses are rendered, so dark and solid, that makes you feel like you could reach out and touch them. Look closely at how Ket uses the lines to create the texture of the roofs. It's like he’s building up these tiny little marks to create a sense of depth and volume. Then notice how the shadows are cast, creating a sense of drama and mystery. And the little picket fence at the front – it's like Ket is inviting us into this space, daring us to step into this world of shadow and light. It reminds me a little of the early work of Gauguin, who also used woodcuts to create simple but powerful images. Ultimately, what’s so compelling about this piece is its ambiguity. It's not about giving us a clear, straightforward view of the world, but about inviting us to explore the hidden corners of our own imaginations.