Saint-Adrien 1914

Editor: So, this is Maurice de Vlaminck's 1914 woodcut, Saint-Adrien. It’s a stark black and white image of a village under what seems like a rather turbulent sky. There's something almost unsettling about the composition; very angular. What do you see when you look at this piece? Curator: Unsettling is a great word! It does feel a little on edge, doesn't it? For me, it's all about the expressive power of the lines. Look at how vigorously Vlaminck carved into that woodblock! There’s this incredible energy that translates into raw emotion. It's a landscape, yes, but it's more a landscape of the *soul*, wouldn't you say? Do you get a sense of the Fauvist spirit that way? Editor: Absolutely, especially in the simplified forms and that emphasis on raw emotion. What's interesting to me is how the lack of color seems to intensify the drama. Was this a typical subject for Vlaminck? Curator: Vlaminck often explored landscapes, channeling his inner feelings onto the scene. Now consider this: 1914…what was looming on the horizon in Europe? It definitely echoes that sense of unease of the time. So much tension brewing, just under the surface. What would happen to his peaceful village? Editor: It's amazing how much history and emotion can be packed into a seemingly simple woodcut. I initially saw just an image, but now I'm sensing that deeper emotional current. Curator: Exactly! That's the magic of art, isn't it? It can whisper stories across time, if you are open to listening with your eyes.