Gauguin 1924

Georges Daniel de Monfreid made this woodcut called 'Gauguin,' using a subtractive process of carving away at the block to reveal the image. What I notice is how the cutting tool has been used to create marks that define the image, but also to describe a mood. Look at how the lines on his face are all heading downwards, giving him this melancholy look. The image has been built up with these strong lines that look like they were made with a sharp knife. They contrast the smooth, blank areas of the paper, creating an almost brutal effect. The lack of modulation creates a really interesting tension. This portrait reminds me of the raw, emotional woodcuts of Edvard Munch. Like Munch, Monfreid isn't trying to make a pretty picture. It's like he's trying to get at some deeper truth about Gauguin, and maybe about himself too. In art, the search for truth is an ongoing conversation, don't you think?