Boerenmeisje 1929

Jo Bezaan made this compelling woodcut, "Boerenmeisje", which translates to "Farmer's Girl," at an unknown date. What I love about a woodcut is that it's so immediate, you’re literally carving away at the surface to reveal the image. It’s a process of reduction, of simplifying to the essential forms. And look at the dress on this girl! The bold, vertical strokes really convey a sense of weight and presence, while the intricate patterns on her bodice give her a unique kind of character. It's like Bezaan is building up a portrait through pure graphic energy. The whole scene has this charming awkwardness. It reminds me of some of Paula Modersohn-Becker's portraits, a similar focus on the figure and everyday life, with a touch of the primitive. Art isn't about perfection, but about finding new ways to see and feel the world, and this little woodcut certainly does that.