The artwork titled “Prophet” was created by Emil Nolde in 1912. It is a woodcut on paper and is a notable piece within the Expressionism art movement. The dimensions of the artwork are 31.8 x 22.4 cm, and it falls under the genre of portraiture. This piece is housed in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City, NY, US.
The artwork presents a striking and emotive portrait in bold contrasts of black and white, characteristic of woodcut techniques. The face of the prophet is rendered with dramatic intensity, using minimalistic yet powerful lines and blocks of shadow to evoke a sense of solemnity and spiritual depth. The strong use of negative space heightens the contemplative expression and the rugged texture adds layers of emotional and visual complexity. The simplicity and stark expressiveness of the piece are emblematic of Nolde’s mastery in capturing profound human experiences through the Expressionist lens.
