Worgplaat 1903

Albert Hahn made this drawing, Worgplaat, at the turn of the century. The tones are all so close, so dense, that the image feels claustrophobic. I can imagine Hahn’s hand moving, agitated, across the surface, hatching and cross-hatching with furious energy. Look how the lines seem to press in on the figures, trapping them in a web of anxiety. I sympathize with the artist. He must have felt furious, frustrated, maybe even a little scared. The composition is so theatrical. I’m reminded of Kollwitz’s stark, confrontational prints. Like her, Hahn uses the graphic power of his medium to make a political statement. The sharp contrast creates a visceral experience, amplifying the emotional intensity. You can almost feel the pressure, the desperation, the cold reality of injustice. And isn’t that what art is all about? A conversation across time, artists pushing each other, responding, reacting, making us feel something real. It's about embracing ambiguity and uncertainty, so we are free to interpret.