Bloeiende planten 1917

Julie de Graag made this print, Bloeiende planten, which translates to ‘Flowering plants’, using woodcut. The stark contrast really grabs you, doesn't it? It's all about the bold lines, the way she carves into the wood to create these shapes. Look at the flowers, how they seem to ripple and unfold right before your eyes. You can almost feel the texture of the wood, the way the knife moved to create these lines. The contrast between light and shadow gives the piece a real depth, which is further emphasized by the subtle, almost ghostly plants reaching up from behind. De Graag's simplification reminds me of woodcuts by artists like Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, who were also exploring the expressive potential of this medium. It’s as if de Graag is reminding us that art is a conversation, a back-and-forth between artists, ideas, and materials.