Embroidery

Color woodcut on laid paper, no date.
Edition unknown, but certainly small. Most of Needell's color woodcuts are extremely scarce. We have yet to find another impression of this print anywhere.

Signed in pencil. 

NOTE: While Needell's woodcuts are often compositionally quite traditional and can be seen as quite static, this image is very innovative and dynamic, in a quiet way. The artist comes in close to his subject, certainly influenced by photography of its time, which trended towards the intimist. Very intelligently, the embroiderer's hand, needle at the ready, is visible, thus clearly stating the subject. Drawing on the artistic "vocabulary" forged by Nabis artists in particular, the tapestry's pattern forms the complete background. It forces our eye and mind to "see" the scene more intently. This woman is not depicted in nature, surrounded by a bird, butterfly, roses and foliage; she is in the actual process of creating this idyl. The foreground is intelligently defined by the use of a "key" block, printed in black ink, which outlines only the woman's face and hand. Look at the exquisite finesse of her eye, nostril, mouth, and earring. In just a few skilled strokes her face comes to life.