Troistedt (Lehnstedt) 1919

Lyonel Feininger made this compelling print, "Troistedt (Lehnstedt)," using a woodblock. The stark black and white contrast is fundamental to the woodcut process. The artist carves away at the block’s surface, leaving the design raised. When inked and pressed, the remaining wood creates the image. Look at how Feininger makes use of the linear qualities, which are intrinsic to this technique. Notice the angular lines forming the buildings and the almost crystalline sky. The directness of the woodcut aesthetic lends itself to social commentary. The amount of labor involved in producing prints—from carving the block to the printing process itself—reflects the socio-economic realities of the era. The final work feels raw, and powerful. By considering its materiality and the process of its making, we can see how printmaking blurs the boundaries between fine art and the applied arts, offering a potent means of expression and social engagement.