Eend 1923 - 1924

Julie de Graag made this print, called "Eend," which means "Duck" in Dutch, using woodcut techniques. I can imagine Julie, carefully carving away at the block, figuring out how to render the duck with as few marks as possible. The challenge of a printmaker is always how to suggest form in monochrome; here, she's contrasted the white duck with the black background. It reminds me a little of Félix Vallotton, who had an amazing sense of form in his woodcuts. I feel a connection with Julie’s work, especially as someone who's always thinking about how to make paintings feel immediate and alive. The duck is caught in a moment of stillness, and in contrast, the white strokes of grass are so lively. These elements create a story, and the artwork becomes a site of inquiry for both the artist and the viewer.