Markt I 1924

Jo Bezaan made this woodcut, Markt I, in 1924. The image is created through a relief printmaking process. The artist carves an image into a block of wood, and the remaining raised surface is inked and printed onto paper. The stark contrast between the black ink and the off-white of the paper creates strong graphic impact, while the wood grain adds texture and depth. The way the artist has worked the wood is pretty evident, and this materiality is everything here. Bezaan has depicted a bustling market scene, filled with figures rendered in a simplified, almost caricatured style. The rough-hewn quality of the woodcut perfectly complements the subject matter, evoking the gritty reality of working-class life and commerce in the early 20th century. This aesthetic sensibility shares a spirit with German Expressionism. Bezaan’s choice of woodcut, a traditional craft medium, elevates the everyday to the realm of art, challenging conventional hierarchies. It reminds us of the labor and skill involved in both making art and making a living.