Untitled (Mourning Woman and Child) c. 1938

Editor: Here we have Adelyne Cross's "Untitled (Mourning Woman and Child)" from around 1938, a print made using woodcut techniques. It strikes me immediately as a potent depiction of grief, stark and quite affecting in its raw emotion. How do you interpret this work from a formalist perspective? Curator: The emotional power you perceive stems largely from Cross's deliberate use of contrasting values. The sharp distinction between black and white creates a dramatic tension. Note how the bold, graphic quality of the woodcut emphasizes the angularity of the figures' forms, further amplifying the feeling of anguish. How does the artist lead our eyes through the composition? Editor: Well, the mother's upward gaze, emphasized by the strong lines of the woodcut, draws the eye upwards. And the way her arms seem to cradle the child leads the viewer downwards again. There's a definite sense of enclosure created by the dark, undefined space around them. Curator: Precisely. The artist manipulates line and form to communicate both vulnerability and protective strength. The lack of a clear background focuses our attention on the figures themselves. Let’s also consider the medium. The nature of woodcut, with its inherent roughness, contributes to the raw emotional feel. Imagine if this subject matter was represented in oil on canvas; how might the reading differ? Editor: Interesting, a painting might soften the blow. The medium of the print, I agree, really enhances the strong feelings being portrayed in the woodcut. I see the stark black and white color contrasts more clearly now. Curator: Ultimately, we can appreciate the successful translation of emotional intensity into a powerfully resolved composition through Cross’s mastery of woodcut techniques and understanding of formal elements. Editor: I understand the composition much better now. Thank you.