Puma 1915

Curator: Before us is “Puma,” a 1915 woodcut by Bernard Willem Wierink, part of the Rijksmuseum collection. Editor: It looks rather lethargic for a predator. The rendering of the puma seems almost...deflated? Curator: The choice of a puma is not accidental; the big cat has often signified royalty, strength, even resurrection in some indigenous traditions. Wierink might be suggesting a similar strength lying dormant. Editor: But isn’t the real story here the printmaking process? The starkness, the economy of line achieved through a woodcut is remarkable. Each mark a physical engagement, a forceful removal of material. It forces a connection to the labor inherent in artistic creation, challenging romanticized views of art. Curator: Perhaps, but look at the background. That soft, green evokes nature, a natural habitat, almost dream-like. It's less about the animal itself and more about its projected environment. The white marks remind me of shooting stars! This juxtaposition—earthy subject with the mystical backdrop—suggests a balance of physical and metaphysical. Editor: Still, for me, it comes down to the limitations, and the ingenuity needed to create depth with a medium as unforgiving as a woodblock. This interplay speaks volumes about labor, artistry, and ingenuity! It shows the limitations imposed by available technologies and how material challenges have pushed creators towards resourcefulness! Curator: And that the dreamlike state still comes through, despite it being an art object. I feel that is still successful, if looking into how animals appear within dream psychology, especially a great and imposing animal. Editor: Well, after our talk, the work speaks to me with much richer and new meanings. I see this material exploration not just as limitation, but ingenuity. Curator: Agreed; seeing the balance between form and projected symbolism can add dimension to this relatively simple image.