Woodchopper c. 1926

Rufino Tamayo made this woodcut, “Woodchopper,” sometime in the mid-20th century. The approach to mark-making is really immediate, and kind of raw. You get a sense of the artist figuring it out as he goes along. I love the texture, the stark contrast of black on white, which creates such a strong visual impact. It's a great example of what you can do with a limited palette. Look at how the artist uses those bold lines to define form, to create depth and movement. You can almost feel the weight of the axe, the strain of the woodchopper’s body. See that vertical hatching in the background? It pulls your eye right up the image. Tamayo’s work often deals with themes of labor and the human condition. You might see echoes of Käthe Kollwitz in this piece, another artist who used printmaking to address social issues. Ultimately, this print is an invitation to reflect on the relationship between humans and nature, work and survival. What do you think?