Und die Kraft und die Herrlichkeit (And the Power and the Glory) - Max Pechstein

A bold woodcut print by German Expressionist Max Pechstein, 'Und die Kraft und die Herrlichkeit' features abstract and symbolic elements in stark black and white, reflecting the movement's focus on emotional impact.

Max Pechstein (1881-1955) was a German Expressionist painter and printmaker. He was a member of the art groups Die Brücke and Novembergruppe. Pechstein was known for his bold use of colour and simplified forms, often depicting scenes of nature and the human figure. His work was condemned by the Nazis as degenerate art, and he was forbidden to paint during World War II. 'Und die Kraft und die Herrlichkeit' ('And the Power and the Glory') is a woodcut print featuring a striking composition of abstract and symbolic elements. The print is dominated by bold black lines against a white background, typical of the Expressionist style. At the top, the title is rendered in block letters above a pyramid containing an eye, a symbol often associated with enlightenment or divine insight. Below this, stylised hands reach out, seemingly connecting the upper and lower portions of the image. The lower half features a large, central face with light rays emanating from its eyes, flanked by two smaller faces in profile. The title continues below the face, completing the composition. The print's stark contrast and geometric shapes create a powerful visual statement, reflecting the Expressionist movement's focus on emotional impact and subjective experience.