The Fifth Knot by Saks Fifth Avenue

The Fifth Knot

Saks Fifth Avenue · 1507

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“Stop to appreciate the mesmerizing complexity of "The Fifth Knot." This woodcut's repeating pattern and stark contrast create a powerful visual puzzle, inviting you to trace its intricate design.”

ABOUT THIS WORK

This woodcut, known as "The Fifth Knot," presents an intricate, almost hypnotic pattern that draws the eye into its repeating, interconnected loops. The design, rendered in stark black lines on ivory laid paper, emphasizes the tactile quality of the woodcut medium itself. Each line, created by the careful removal of wood, contributes to a sense of both delicate precision and robust form. The composition feels like a puzzle or an ancient symbol, inviting contemplation on its structure and implied infinity. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of pure form and the expressive potential of a single color.

DETAILS
Artist
Saks Fifth Avenue
Date
1507
Medium
Woodcut in black on ivory laid paper
Location
Art Institute of Chicago
Dimensions
Image: 27.2 × 21.2 cm (10 3/4 × 8 3/8 in.); Sheet: 28.7 × 22.8 cm (11 5/16 × 9 in.)
LOOK CLOSER

What to Notice

Four details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The Fifth Knot
01

Observe the precise, interlocking nature of each knot.

02

Notice the texture of the ivory laid paper beneath the ink.

03

See how the black lines create depth and shadow.

04

Follow a single line to see how it intertwines through the pattern.

THE ARTIST

Saks Fifth Avenue

From a Washington D.C. men's shop in 1867 to a Fifth Avenue icon, Saks dressed America's elite for over 150 years.

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