Dancer 1903

Koloman Moser made this small, square woodcut print, Dancer, a long time ago. It's all black and white, with a dancing figure, clouds, and checkerboard shapes. I’m struck by the way the white areas carve out the shapes of the dancer and her flowing hair. Imagine Moser carefully cutting away at the woodblock, guided by his intuition and a clear vision. Was he thinking about movement, rhythm, maybe even music as he worked? The checkerboard details remind me of Klimt, who Moser worked alongside. It’s fascinating how artists pick up and play with each other’s visual ideas like that. I feel as if it is not just a woman dancing, but an attempt to embody her spirit. It’s an image of someone completely letting go. As a painter myself, I feel a kinship with Moser, even across time. This print reminds me that we’re all part of a huge, ongoing conversation through art.