Rotskust bij Santa Margherita Ligure 1926

Bernard Essers created this woodcut, Rotskust bij Santa Margherita Ligure, with simple tools and a clear vision. It's all about the push and pull of black and white, a dance of light and shadow, where each mark feels deliberate. Look at the waves; they’re not just water but solid forms, almost architectural in their construction. See how he carves the negative space around the crests, giving them a life of their own? The texture is amazing. You can almost feel the roughness of the wood and the sharp cuts of the tool. It's like each line is a decision, a moment of interaction between the artist and the material. Essers’s reminds me of Emil Nolde with his bold, graphic style and simplified forms. Both artists share a love for the raw and expressive qualities of printmaking, embracing the inherent limitations and turning them into strengths. Art, after all, is an ongoing conversation, a constant remix of ideas and approaches.