Vienna: From Schönbrunn 1908

This little woodcut titled 'Vienna: From Schönbrunn' was made by Urban Janke, a Viennese artist, probably around the turn of the century. I like how he’s used simplified shapes and blocks of color to suggest form. It's not about detail but about capturing the essence. The texture is quite striking. You can see the grain of the wood coming through in places, especially in the trees. It's like the material itself is part of the image, adding depth and a kind of raw energy. Look at the water in the fountain – how the dark blue is broken up by these small white dashes, creating a sense of movement. That little flick of white is like a tiny spark, bringing the whole scene to life. It reminds me a bit of the work of the Brücke artists, like Kirchner, who were also experimenting with woodcuts and bold, expressive forms around the same time. Art is always a conversation, and Janke is clearly part of that ongoing dialogue.