Naakte vrouw met spiegel en weegschaal 1915

Bernard Willem Wierink created this small print, "Naked Woman with Mirror and Scales," in 1916 using a woodcut technique. The linear quality of the design is evident in the way Wierink carved the woodblock. Notice how the figure emerges from the background, her body defined by bold outlines and subtle textures created by the gouges in the wood. The choice of wood as a material gives the print a graphic impact, well-suited to the symbolist imagery. Woodcut is an old technique, associated with the handcrafting of images. In contrast to industrial modes of production, where uniformity is paramount, each impression taken from a woodblock has a handmade quality. The texture of the wood grain, the varying pressure applied during printing, and the subtle imperfections in the carving all contribute to this effect. This aesthetic choice links the work to wider social issues of labor and artistic expression during a period of industrial change. Ultimately, understanding the material and processes behind this print enriches our appreciation of its cultural significance, blurring the lines between craft and fine art.