Muis 1887 - 1924

Julie de Graag made this small woodcut of a mouse, called 'Muis', sometime before 1924. It’s incredible, how something so diminutive can feel so monumental! De Graag's graphic approach uses solid lines of dark ink to define the form, and the negative space is just as important. The mouse is almost entirely white, surrounded by a dark interior. I love how she coaxes out texture with just a few marks, like the tiny dots for the mouse's whiskers. There's something so direct about woodcut prints. You carve away at the block, leaving only what you want to print. It’s so raw. It reminds me a little of some of the German Expressionists. There’s a similar kind of graphic intensity, but De Graag brings a uniquely tender perspective to her subject. Ultimately, 'Muis' is a testament to the power of simplicity and how it allows for endless interpretations. It also proves that the best conversations in art happen across time, space, and scale.