Large Heads (2 Heads I) 1921

Christian Rohlfs created this print, Large Heads, using linoleum and fabric. The expressive faces have been rendered in thick blue lines against the raw woven material. Linoleum, commonly used for flooring, lends itself to bold graphic forms due to its ease of carving. Rohlfs has exploited this quality, creating strong contours which define the figures' features. The choice of fabric as a printing surface is significant; its coarse texture contrasts with the smoothness of the linoleum block. The rawness of the materials contributes to the overall aesthetic. The juxtaposition of an industrial material like linoleum with a humble fabric grounds the artwork in everyday life. It blurs boundaries between high art and utilitarian craft, inviting us to consider the social context in which it was made. The roughness of the printing and the unhemmed edge emphasize the directness and immediacy of the work, highlighting the artist's hand and the inherent qualities of the materials.