Title page from the portfolio "The Transformations of God" 1922

Curator: This is the title page from the portfolio "The Transformations of God" by Ernst Barlach. Editor: It strikes me as very stark, almost medieval in its presentation. Curator: Indeed, the gothic typeface creates a powerful sense of history and tradition. The artist's interest was the intersection of religious themes with modernist aesthetics. Editor: But how did Barlach achieve this? The woodcut process itself brings a sense of craft and labour. Curator: Precisely, the carving creates bold lines and strong contrasts, inviting us to consider the deeper meaning. Editor: The raw texture speaks to a more earthly, material interpretation of the divine. Curator: Yes, the work invites us to contemplate spiritual matters through the lens of earthly existence. Editor: A potent reminder that faith and materiality are inextricably linked.