Niassche bruid 1919

This is Johannes Frederik Engelbert ten Klooster’s ‘Niassche bruid’ made with woodcut. Look at how the artist coaxes the most from the simple binary of black and white, a yin and yang that lets the image emerge from the process. It’s the material aspects of the work that I find so captivating here. The texture of the wood becomes apparent in the print, bringing the hand of the artist into view. Ten Klooster coaxes a range of tonal effects from their cuts, a testament to their skill and understanding of the medium. See how the flower to the right of the brides face almost shimmers, created with nothing but open space between the black lines. It’s almost impossible to discuss this work without thinking of the German Expressionists, particularly artists like Emil Nolde. But perhaps ten Klooster offers something unique with this piece, an emotional directness that transcends any one style or movement. In the end, it’s the artist’s voice that resonates most clearly, a voice that lingers long after we’ve moved on.