Kopf (Head) 1920

Max Kaus made this woodcut called 'Head' using stark black lines carved into a block, then pressed onto paper. It's like a face deconstructed and then pieced back together with shards of feeling. I love how the graphic quality gives it such immediacy. The textures range from the smooth, solid blacks to the rough, grainy bits where the wood grain peeks through. It reminds us that this isn't just an image; it's an object made through physical effort. Notice the way the lines around the eyes don't quite meet, suggesting a sort of sadness or maybe just a deep, unfathomable gaze. 'Head' reminds me a little of Kirchner's woodcuts, that same intensity of feeling captured through really dynamic mark-making. Ultimately, art is about asking questions more than giving answers.