Gear 1917

Anna Ostroumova-Lebedeva made this woodcut print, called "Gear", with a reductive approach; removing material to create the image. I love how the whole scene is built from sharp, deliberate cuts. Look closely, and you see how each mark is a decision, a tiny act of sculpture. The high contrast between the dark ink and the white paper gives the image a graphic punch, but it's also full of subtle textures. See how the lines vary in thickness and direction, creating a sense of depth and movement, like the masts and rigging are swaying above the boats. It reminds me of the work of Gustave Baumann, another master of woodcuts. Both artists share a love for the craft and an ability to transform simple materials into complex and evocative images. It's a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation, and each artist builds on the work of those who came before. This piece invites us to see the world in a new way, not as a fixed reality, but as a constantly shifting interplay of light and shadow.