Why were woodcuts a popular choice for expressionists?
The idea of art advocated by Expressionism is diametrically opposed to Impressionism. Expressionist painters did not stick to realistically reproducing impressions and representing beautiful forms. On the contrary, to them art was not representing nature as viewed through a subjective take on it; unlike the Impressionists they gave priority to their own emotions, representing motifs as “profoundly felt” and thus intepreted.The basic elements of color, dynamics and emotion occur in virtually all Expressionist works of art. However, even black-and-white Expressionist prints radiate their creators’ energy and dynamism. It was in fact the “harsh” medium of woodcut that became the Expressionist vehicle of choice. You can do it with words, you can do it with pictures, or you can do it with both. For those interested in doing it just with pictures, there are two books in print right now on woodcut novels and wordless books that are absolute must-reads. First, for an overall sampler and histor
