Drie dansende vrouwen en matroos met vrouw 1925

André Lhote created this compelling print, "Three Dancing Women and Sailor with Woman," using a woodcut technique. In this relief printing process, Lhote would have painstakingly carved his design into a block of wood, removing the areas that would remain white, and leaving behind the raised lines that would receive ink. The sharp contrast and bold angularity are inherent to the material; the wood's grain resisting the cutting tool, resulting in a deliberate, blocky aesthetic. The image itself portrays figures engaged in lively dance. The stylized, almost Cubist rendering of the bodies speaks to Lhote's interest in structure and form, reminiscent of early twentieth-century avant-garde movements. The printmaking process, with its demanding labor and careful registration of the block, reflects the broader social context of artistic production and distribution. Considering the materials, making, and context allows us to appreciate the full meaning of this artwork. The woodcut technique itself is a testament to the artist's engagement with craft traditions and the challenging of traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.