Boerderij Beek en Berg in Bloemendaal 1943

This is Jacob Pieter van den Bosch’s woodcut, made in 1943. The process of woodcut involves physically cutting away at the surface of the woodblock to reveal the image. Look at how the artist has used a limited palette of black and white to describe the scene. The marks that make up the trees on the right feel like a dark curtain, framing the house and hinting at the dense foliage of the surrounding area. See how van den Bosch carved away at the block to create a sense of depth? The artist's hand is so evident in the texture and the patterns they created, the bricks of the house have a handmade feel, in contrast to the straight lines of the bridge. It reminds me of some of the prints by Emil Nolde, who also embraced bold and simple forms. Art is nothing if not a conversation across time. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what the artwork means to you.