Indian Drummer c. 1925 - 1935

Herman Bacharach made this print, Indian Drummer, sometime in the twentieth century. I like how he carves out each shape from the block of wood – you can see the effort he put into it. It's like each color is a separate piece of a puzzle, carefully fit together. The drum itself is a standout, with its teal color and bold shapes. The way the color is laid down makes it feel solid and present. The drummer is hunched over it, really focusing on the beat. You can see the red in his headband mirrored in the pattern on his skirt. Even the small white dots on his shirt play against the geometric pattern of the background. It reminds me a bit of Stuart Davis, who also loved to combine shapes and colors in a way that feels both modern and timeless. It’s like Bacharach is saying, "Here's a moment, a person, a culture," all captured in a single, striking image.