Huizen aan een straat 1924

Jan Kraan’s ‘Huizen aan een straat’ is a woodcut print on paper. The stark black and white contrast of the buildings, rooftops, and cobblestone street is mesmerizing. I imagine Kraan carefully carving away at the woodblock, a real labor of love, methodically defining each shape and texture. I wonder what it was like to stand in that street, feel the weight of the buildings around him, and translate that into this graphic language? The texture of the cobblestones is so captivating; it must have taken ages to achieve. I love how he captures the feeling of light filtering through the street. It reminds me of some of the German Expressionist woodcuts, with that same bold, angular style. Artists are always borrowing, remixing, and responding to each other’s work. It is just a constant conversation across time. Ultimately, what I appreciate most is the commitment to such a physical, hands-on process.