Bringing in the Nets c. 1930

Donald Frederick Witherstine made this woodcut print, "Bringing in the Nets," sometime in the first half of the 20th century. The sharp contrast between the dark ink and the light paper really gives the scene a dramatic feel, doesn't it? It feels like he wasn't just depicting a scene, but also the feeling of that moment, the weight of the nets, the cool air, the end of the day. What strikes me about this print is how Witherstine uses these really direct, powerful marks to create a sense of depth. Look at the way he carves the lines in the water, all horizontal and parallel, or the thick vertical marks suggesting the masts of boats. You can almost feel the artist’s hand moving across the block. Thinking about other artists who played with these contrasts, maybe someone like Emil Nolde comes to mind. Ultimately, this print is more than just a picture; it's an experience, an echo of a time and place. It reminds us that art isn't about perfect representation but about capturing something real, something felt.