Artwork

Begrüssung (Greeting)

Begrüssung (Greeting), by August Macke, ink, 1912
Begrüssung (Greeting), by August Macke, ink, 1912

Begrüssung (Greeting) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist August Macke. It dates from 1912 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Begrüssung (Greeting) is a 1912 woodcut print by August Macke, a key figure in the Der Blaue Reiter group and the German Expressionist movement.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts two embracing nudes in a garden, surrounded by simplified, blocky foliage. The intimate scene is rendered in bold black forms against a tan background, conveying emotional intensity.

Technique & Style

Macke employed the woodcut technique, carving his design into wood and printing it onto paper. This method yielded sharp lines and flat shapes, characteristic of Expressionist printmaking.

Artist & collection

Portrait of August Macke

Artist

August Macke

August Robert Ludwig Macke (3 January 1887 – 26 September 1914) was a German Expressionist painter.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.