After the Bath

Edward Ryden

Edward Ryden, whose career spanned six decades, did not discover woodcut printmaking until the 1960s, at which time it became one of his preferred mediums. Early woodcuts show an interest in exploring the grain of the wood and incorporating it into sweeping landscapes and scenes of streetlife in the many countries he visited. Later woodcuts became more intimate and focused on everyday life.

Here, in a simply composed scene that is as sweetly humorous as it is graphically dynamic, Ryden captures a moment that many cat-owners are familiar with: the persistent, casual curiosity of a feline as the daily chores and tasks are played out, in this case, the conclusion of bathtime.