Portret van Dante Alighieri en Beatrice Portinari 1922

Bernard Essers made this woodcut print of Dante Alighieri and Beatrice Portinari, likely in the early 20th century. The stark contrast of black ink on paper is so striking, a real dance between light and shadow. I find myself drawn to the texture here. The way Essers carved into the wood block gives the print a tactile quality. You can almost feel the grain of the wood, the rough edges of the lines. Look at the way the black ink pools in some areas and thins out in others, creating a sense of depth and movement. And see how those parallel lines in Dante’s cloak almost vibrate with energy. This print reminds me a bit of Käthe Kollwitz, another artist who used woodcuts to powerful effect. Like Kollwitz, Essers embraces the inherent qualities of the medium. It’s a conversation, really, about how images can speak across time. The mystery is the beauty.