Zittende vrouw 1918

Gustave De Smet made this woodcut, titled 'Zittende Vrouw' or 'Seated Woman', sometime around 1918. The stark contrast between black and white creates an image that’s raw and immediate. You can almost feel the artist’s hand as he cuts into the wood. Look at the way the black ink sits on the page, slightly raised. The texture adds a tactile dimension to the image. See how the woman’s body emerges from the dark background, defined by bold, graphic lines. There’s a sense of weightiness, of form being carved out of shadow. I'm really drawn to the way De Smet uses negative space. It's not just empty; it actively shapes the figure, giving her presence and volume. The print reminds me a little of some of the German Expressionists like Kirchner, but it has a simplicity all its own. It's a reminder that art is a conversation, an ongoing exchange of ideas and approaches.