"Satan, Go Hence!" (Book VII: Alyosha, facing p.256) 1949

This dark, theatrical wood engraving titled "Satan, Go Hence!" was made by Fritz Eichenberg, for a book illustration. The piece has a stark, almost medieval quality, conjuring a world of shadows, and the black and white palette amplifies the dramatic tension. Look at the way Eichenberg carves his lines, each one deliberate, creating a texture that feels almost tactile. The dense cross-hatching builds depth, casting the scene in a perpetual twilight. Notice the frantic energy of the figure who shouts the title! Eichenberg's work reminds me of the raw, expressive power of artists like Käthe Kollwitz, who similarly used printmaking to convey intense emotion and social commentary. But here, there's also a touch of Goya's grotesque humor, a sense that even in the darkest corners, there's room for a sly wink. Art, like life, is full of contradictions, and it’s up to us to embrace them.