# Soliciting your first impressions on what you see in a figure in a woodcut **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 2, 2026, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284 "2026-01-02T21:23:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/1 "2026-01-02T21:23:34Z")
I have now hung a woodcut titled “Dancing couple” by [HAP Grieshaber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HAP_Grieshaber) (local hero in the town where I live now) on the wall in our home office room. [![](https://i.imgur.com/D6i7jPr.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/D6i7jPr.jpeg) My wife and I disagree in the interpretation of the red (female) figure. Please look at the picture before unblurring the spoiler. **My wife** : Below the red figure’s face, two prominent breasts wobbling around. **Me** : No way these are breasts. Boobs are not stacked vertically. They are ends of a scarf or something. **Who do you agree with?** _Poll ([view on site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/1))_ ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/2 "2026-01-02T21:35:21Z")
I think that detail really helps capture the motion. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/3 "2026-01-02T21:40:56Z")
It’s a naked woman dancing with a man in a suit. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/4 "2026-01-02T21:47:41Z")
I just spent a few minutes scrolling the artist’s other work. First, it’s a very cool style and I’m glad to be introduced to it. Second, his graphical approach is sufficiently freeform that your appeal to realistic proportions is, let’s say, rather unconvincing. Representative comparison: [![](https://images.auctionet.com/thumbs/hd_item_4493174_045e9e3dd2.jpg) ](https://images.auctionet.com/thumbs/hd_item_4493174_045e9e3dd2.jpg) I back your wife’s interpretation without hesitation. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/5 "2026-01-02T21:48:20Z")
It’s so anatomically incorrect in other ways it’s hard to parse what I see. That’s not a criticism of the painting, just explaining why I find it hard to answer that question. Looking at that lady makes me feel confused on multiple points. But based on the other painting: yep. Those are titties. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/6 "2026-01-02T21:51:38Z")
I’d say less dancing and more of a tussle he’s standing on her foot jabbing his finger in the air while grabbing her and she looks to be trying to push away. Thats my interpretation anyway ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/7 "2026-01-02T21:51:44Z")
Content not viewable in my region. Can you adjust the settings? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/8 "2026-01-02T21:53:12Z")
I’m thinking it’s hair. I’m more concerned with him stomping her foot. Looks like he’s trying to grab her and do violence. Maybe I’m feeling a bit unsafe or something at the moment. So it may just be me on this day. Same @chela ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/9 "2026-01-02T21:54:37Z")
[Another page with a picture of this woodcut](https://antiquariat-waldsee.de/detail/1000094AG/) ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/10 "2026-01-02T22:00:38Z")
Thanks for the link. Boobs and also This text will be blurred She’s pregnant, right? ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/11 "2026-01-02T22:00:48Z")
Possibly I have dirty mind. My first thought was expressionist boobs (not sure about the expressionist part, surrealist, maybe? Definitely not cubist) ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/12 "2026-01-02T22:06:55Z")
Is the cloud of green leaves (?) a see through gown? Looks like it’s held up by her knee. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/13 "2026-01-02T22:12:12Z")
Agreed ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/14 "2026-01-02T22:17:19Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > Is the cloud of green leaves (?) a see through gown? Looks like it’s held up by her knee. No; green patterns are also part of other prints in the series, such as this [Grieshaber, ‚Verehrung‘ : - Antiquariat an der Stiftskirche](https://antiquariat-waldsee.de/detail/1000109AG/) ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/15 "2026-01-02T22:17:20Z")
Yes, those are boobies bouncing up and down, she is pregnant and she has one leg spread upward and out in a sexual pose. Its art. I am more concerned about why he is standing on her foot and what is he doing (or where is) is his other arm/hand? What’s up with that? ---
**Author:** ![Mops](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mops/32/16494_2.png) [@Mops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mops)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/16 "2026-01-02T22:19:30Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > … > > I am more concerned about him standing on her foot. What’s up with that? I don’t see it that way; the left feet of both are lifted for the next step in the dance IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/17 "2026-01-02T23:04:07Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I’m more concerned with him stomping her foot. He’s a bad dancer. 😄 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2026, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/18 "2026-01-02T23:22:45Z")
Yes. Exactly 😂 ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/19 "2026-01-03T00:03:13Z")
I see an intact coherent male figure and a female figure that’s breaking up into confusing pieces. I don’t know what the artist means by this, but it doesn’t make me happy. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284/20 "2026-01-03T00:23:46Z")
And she’s pregnant. He may be wearing a bodysuit. They’re also behind a shrub, or hedge. As for his foot, I interpreted that as his foot crossing over hers. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/soliciting-your-first-impressions-on-what-you-see-in-a-figure-in-a-woodcut/1026284.md?page=2)