#19: El Horno (The Oven) 2008

"#19: El Horno (The Oven)" is a 2008 woodcut by Marina Pallares, a contemporary artist known for her bold black and white prints. This piece depicts a person stoking a fire in a brick oven. The stark contrast of the black and white creates a dramatic visual effect. Pallares' woodcuts often address themes of labor, tradition, and daily life, as seen in this scene of a worker tending to a wood-fired oven, a common sight in many cultures. The title, "El Horno," emphasizes the central element of the artwork: the oven, a symbol of warmth, sustenance, and the cycle of life.