Preaching to the Birds 1935 - 1943

Fritz Eichenberg made this wood engraving, called "Preaching to the Birds," without a date given. The dramatic contrasts in black and white feel biblical and expressionistic, and they remind me of Kathe Kollwitz’s bold prints. Eichenberg coaxes an impressive range of tone and texture from his block of wood, from the velvety darkness of the night sky to the granular surface of the central orb. Look closely at the way he varies the length, thickness, and direction of the engraved lines to describe form and create visual interest. See the light emanating from the orb behind the central figure. It’s like a halo, but made from pure graphic energy. Eichenberg was deeply concerned with social justice, and a sense of moral urgency permeates his work. His art, like that of Hogarth, addresses human folly and cruelty with a satirical edge. I’m thinking about other artists that make similar work like Sue Coe. It makes you think.