Kopf (Head) 1920

Max Kaus made this woodcut called "Head," and you can see how he chiseled and gouged the block to create such a striking image. I wonder, did he sketch the head first, or did he just dive right in, letting the wood guide him? I find myself looking at the sharp angles that make up the face, thinking about the physical act of carving. Each cut is so decisive. It's like Kaus is wrestling with the material, trying to extract the essence of a face, of a person. The contrast between the black and white is so stark; it gives the piece a real emotional punch. It reminds me of the German Expressionists, Kirchner and Heckel, who were also exploring these raw, intense feelings through simplified forms. I imagine Kaus in his studio, the smell of ink and wood, the pressure of the blade in his hand. Artists are always talking to each other, across time, inspiring each other to push further. This image feels unfinished and raw, but that's where its power lies. It's not about perfection; it's about the messy, beautiful struggle to express something real.