Zwaan achter hek 1894 - 1935

Mathieu Lauweriks made this black ink print, ‘Swan Behind Bars,’ with a woodblock. I love how the stark contrast creates such drama, and the linear marks, like in the swan’s feathers, have a real sense of rhythm and energy. There’s an incredible tension in the piece. You see the swan, majestic but trapped, towering over these figures below, who are kind of shrouded and mysterious. Are they in awe? Are they prisoners too? The bars are so defined, they create this physical and emotional barrier. It’s all about surface here, where the texture of the wood gives a tactile quality to the whole scene, like you could almost feel the grain beneath your fingertips. Look closely, and you can see where the artist has carved out the lines. This reminds me of Käthe Kollwitz, who also used printmaking to explore themes of social justice and human suffering. Art is such a great conversation that stretches across time and space, isn’t it? It offers us many pathways to explore, but doesn't give us a single, correct answer.