The invention of the printing press led to an explosion of cheap printed materials in the 16th and 17th centuries. Ballads were no longer limited to oral tradition, agitators no longer confined to the soapbox. Mass communication was now possible. The broadsides pasted on walls and disseminated among the masses, together with the written ballads hawked at street corners, represented the zeitgeist of popular culture in early modern Britain. Frequently designed in "blackletter" gothic type and accompanied with distinctive woodcut illustrations, this dynamic, lively form encompassed the obsessions and characteristic humor of the times. This beautifully designed book highlights some of the most striking and amusing examples from the British Library's collections and provides brief commentary on the political and social background of the times. Frequent topics of illustration include monsters, witches, criminals, drinking, war and politics.
The only Jost Amman collection available in any form, this set draws primarily from the Renaissance woodcut master's most important works: Book of Trades and A Little Book of Art. Over 280 intricate images of knights, Turks, printmakers, sensual females, mythological figures, peasants, clergymen, and more offer definitive representations of Renaissance trades and professions.
Worldwide survey of 1920s woodcuts features nearly 200 images — including an 8-page color insert — of landscapes, portraits, and book illustrations by noted artists. An informative narrative offers artistic and historical perspectives.
Color woodcut printmaking was not new to Britain, America, or Japan in the late eighteenth century. Yet after Japan was opened to the West in 1854 and deeper cultural exchange began, Japanese prints captured the European and American imagination. The fresh colors, simplicity of materials, and departure from traditional compositions entranced western artists and the public alike. Likewise, Japanese audiences and artists were intrigued by the styles and techniques of western art, which was broadly available in Japan by the end of the nineteenth century. Artists there created images of the strange foreigners and imagined what American cities looked like. By the beginning of the twentieth century, artists were not content to merely imagine what the other side of the world looked like. As prints traveled around the globe for study so did artists, and with them spread the tricks and techniques of color woodblock printmaking as well as appreciation for the prints. Woodblock printmakers in the West started to investigate Japanese processes, and Japanese publishers began to seriously seek out the print market outside of Japan. Important themes began to emerge; scenes of nature and old-fashioned architecture outnumbered modern city views, and images of animals were nearly as popular as those of human figures. Imagery was often idyllic and beautiful, attractive to an international audience. Twentieth-century art, however, moves at a furious pace, and the ferment of the international woodcut style quickly ran its course. Artists appropriated what they needed from the color woodcut, then developed techniques, subjects, and styles in their own ways. An ever-expanding range of prints became indebted to the artists of the previous generation who had reinvigorated woodblock printmaking styles and practices around the world. This full-color catalogue includes many prints from this colorful exhibition and shows how the progression of styles became more similar as international artists learned from and competed with each other, then stylistically diverged as artists of each country took what they learned in new directions. The three essays each focus on the influences and contributions made to the international style by three countries: Japan, Britain, and America.
Over 100 works by Beckmann, Feininger, Kirchner, Kollwitz, Nolde, Marc, and others. Distorted, stylized forms embody revolutionary mood of the early 20th century. Introduction. Captions. Notes on artists.
A clearly written, practical and illustrated handbook to woodcut techniques and printmaking, both a how-to book and reference for printmakers, designers and collectors that includes finished examples by accomplished woodcut artists.
This volume explores the evolution of the technique, composition and colouration of the woodcut beginning with the earliest publications. It features examples from Germany, Italy, France, Spain and The Netherlands.
Although there are many volumes that explore the life of Christ, this one is unique, relying exclusively on stunning woodcut prints in place of text. Eloquent in its simplicity, it offers 71 black-and-white illustrations — from the Annunciation of Mary to Christ's ascension into heaven — in a moving retelling of the greatest story ever told.
This book provides the basics of this craft with a detailed analysis of its tools and media. This improved second edition features two new chapters that teach artists step-by-step how to make an engraving and linocut.
Woodblock printing is an ancient art form, which produces beautiful, subtle and lively pieces with just a few simple materials. This book introduces the art, and shares technical information and ideas for those with more experience. A wide range of exciting examples of printed woodcuts are shown along with advice on materials and tools, and a step-by-step guide to sharpening. Techniques to achieve quality prints and perfect registration are covered too. Drawing on the vibrant living traditions from China and Japan, it is both a technical guide and an inspiration. Beautifully illustrated with 160 colour photographs.
