Ships at Sea (Schiffe auf See) 1918

Lyonel Feininger’s "Ships at Sea" is a woodcut in black ink on an ochre ground, its dynamic angularity evokes the raw energy of the sea. Feininger fractures the image into crystalline shards. Notice how this geometric abstraction isn't just about breaking down form; it's about rebuilding it. The black shapes suggest sails and hulls, but they also function as independent formal elements. The texture from the wood grain adds to the sense of ruggedness, each line and mark contributing to the overall composition. Feininger’s visual language here reflects the broader concerns of the Expressionist movement to destabilize established modes of seeing. Rather than a literal depiction, this print explores the essence of the maritime experience. By abstracting the subject, Feininger invites us to engage with the underlying structures that define our perception and understanding. The crystalline structure serves not only as an aesthetic choice but also as a profound statement about how we interpret and construct the world around us.