Ludwig Schames, Frankfurt am Main 1919

This striking woodcut print ‘Ludwig Schames, Frankfurt am Main’ was made by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, and you can see how the making is built right into the image. The stark black and white contrast and the bold, angular lines are typical of Kirchner's expressionist style. The grain of the wood, the hand-carved texture; it's all so present. The negative space is just as important as the lines themselves. See how the artist makes the letters dance, creating a rhythm of their own. The shapes become like little buildings or monuments. This piece feels more immediate and raw. The jagged lines create a nervous, energetic feeling. The figures at the bottom are so stylized, almost primitive. There's a sense of anxiety there. I can’t help but think about the German Expressionist group Die Brücke, who were all about pushing boundaries, experimenting with materials, and capturing raw emotion in their art. It reminds us that art is not just about pretty pictures, but also about process, expression, and the artist's unique vision.