Daphnis aanschouwt de slapende Chloë 1937

Aristide Maillol created this woodcut print, Daphnis aanschouwt de slapende Chloë. The composition is strikingly simple. Solid black lines define the figures of Daphnis and Chloe, set against the stark white of the paper, creating a powerful contrast. Chloe reclines in the foreground, her body rendered with smooth, flowing lines that emphasize her form. Daphnis is positioned behind her, kneeling, his gesture one of quiet contemplation. The artist uses line to delineate form and convey a sense of volume. The rough texture of the woodcut adds a tactile dimension to the print, contrasting with the smoothness of the figures' bodies. The absence of color directs our focus to the interplay of form and line, encouraging a deeper engagement with the composition's structure. Ultimately, the woodcut aesthetic enhances the thematic content, suggesting themes of pastoral simplicity and classical idealism. The formal qualities of this work invite reflection on the relationships between line, form, and meaning in Maillol's oeuvre.