Drie katten 1916

This woodcut, "Three Cats," was made by Julie de Graag around 1916. I love how the process of woodcut demands clarity, paring down. It's a direct method – you carve away what isn't needed, leaving only the essential forms. These three cats sit, side by side, like sentinels. The deep black ink contrasts with the warm, tan color of the cats, creating a bold, graphic image. Look closely, and you can see the texture of the wood grain in the printed areas, a reminder of the physical process of carving and printing. The subtle imperfections and irregularities give the print a handmade feel, connecting us to the artist's hand and the material's inherent qualities. The shapes of these cats are so simplified, like hieroglyphs or symbols. I'm reminded of other early twentieth century artists like Franz Marc and his simplified animal forms; there's a similar attempt to find a language of pure expression. I think this piece embraces ambiguity and the ongoing conversation of ideas across time.