Jule- og nytårskort 1934

Axel Hou made this festive card, in which he wishes us a happy Christmas and New Year. The whole thing is rendered in this flurry of etched lines. It’s all hatching and cross-hatching, a real frenzy of mark making, that defines form and shadow. Look at the way Hou uses the lines to sculpt the figures and create depth. Notice that dense cluster of marks just above Mary’s head, creating a halo effect. It's a clever move that highlights her divinity without being too literal. And then there's the star, rendered as this explosive burst of light, cutting through the darkness like a celestial spotlight. There is something honest about this image, as if the artist is using the etching to think and feel, laying down these marks as a method of discovery. It reminds me a bit of Käthe Kollwitz, who also used printmaking to explore themes of social justice and human suffering. Like Kollwitz, Hou isn’t afraid to embrace the imperfections and accidents of the process, allowing the hand of the artist to remain visible. The image celebrates the spirit of Christmas, embracing the beauty and complexity of life.