Artwork
Composition XXII
Composition XXII is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Jacoba van Heemskerck van Beest. It dates from 1900 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Composition XXII is a black‑and‑white woodcut created in 1900 by the Dutch artist Jacoba van Heemskerck Beest. Executed on laid paper, the work consists of a series of abstract, cut‑out shapes that reveal the white surface beneath the black paper. The composition balances varied forms—some elongated, others broader—arranged in an apparently spontaneous, overlapping pattern.
Subject & Meaning
The print does not depict recognizable objects; instead it explores the interplay of positive and negative space through abstract silhouettes. The juxtaposition of dense black areas against the luminous paper suggests a study of movement and visual tension, inviting viewers to consider rhythm and balance rather than narrative content.
Technique & Style
Heemskerck van Beest employed traditional woodcut methods, carving the design into a block of wood and printing the inked surface onto laid paper. The stark contrast between the deep black pigment and the paper’s texture emphasizes the tactile quality of the medium, while the irregular, overlapping forms reflect early twentieth‑century explorations of abstraction.
History & Provenance
Signed and dated 1900, Composition XXII belongs to the artist’s early printmaking output, a period when she was experimenting with non‑representational forms. The work has remained in private collections since its creation, with documented exhibition records limited to early twentieth‑century Dutch print shows.
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