Vrouw met twee vingers op de lippen 1895

Mathieu Lauweriks created this woodcut print, ‘Woman with two fingers on her lips’. Woodcut is an ancient relief printing technique. The artist carves an image into the surface of a block of wood, leaving the printing parts level with the surface while removing the non-printing parts. Areas that the artist cuts away carry no ink, while characters or images at surface level carry the ink to produce the print. Lauweriks used knives and gouges to carve away the wood, and the resulting texture gives the print a graphic quality. The lines are sharp, and the contrast between light and dark is stark. We can see Lauweriks's interest in geometric patterns and the stylized depiction of the woman's face. The method lends itself to bold imagery, and the starkness is part of its communicative power. The act of carving the wood is labor-intensive and requires precision. The artist's hand is evident in every line and curve, emphasizing a connection to the handmade. It brings a sense of intimacy and authenticity to the artwork. This reflects a desire to emphasize the value of craft in a world increasingly dominated by industrial production.