Notre-Dame in Parijs 1888 - 1934

Willem Adrianus Grondhout made this stark image of Notre-Dame, likely in the early 20th century, by cutting into a block of wood. The thing I love about woodcuts is how graphic they are, aren't you just completely drawn in by the bold contrast between black and white? And look at those sketchy clouds – you can almost feel the artist's hand moving across the block. There's a real sense of process, isn’t there? The thick, dark lines give the cathedral this dramatic, almost gothic feel. See how the lines get thicker and thinner, creating shadows and depth. It's a simple technique, but it's so effective. I am reminded a little of the German expressionist woodcut artists like Karl Schmidt-Rottluff, who used similar techniques to create powerful, emotional images. Ultimately, this is a piece which shows how much you can say with very little, and it reminds us that art is as much about feeling and expression as it is about accuracy.