Liggend konijn 1916

Julie de Graag made this woodcut print of a reclining rabbit in 1916. It's got this flat, graphic feel, right? A simple red background, a black border, and then the rabbit itself, rendered in a creamy white. What strikes me is how she uses such simple shapes to create a sense of volume. The rabbit isn’t just flat; it has a real weight to it. Look at the way the black line defines the curve of its back and the shadow underneath. De Graag’s choice of a woodcut emphasizes the process, with its carved lines adding texture and depth. I’m reminded of other artists who used printmaking to explore form and space like Gauguin, who was also interested in flat planes of color. But de Graag brings such tenderness to this image. Ultimately, it invites us to see the beauty in simplicity.