Woodcut
WASSILY KANDINSKY (1866-1944) “Air Formation” Woodcut
This woodcut from renowned Russian artist Wassily Kandinksy (1866-1944) depicts an abstracted composition of rounded planes and geometric forms in striking, black and white values. Generally regarded as the pioneer for abstraction in western art, Kandinsky’s work continues to be viewed favorably by museum curators and art historians for its expressive quality and masterful color treatments. This woodcut, ideal for the serious art collector or historian, is unsigned by the artist and has been matted and framed in a contemporary black housing.
About the Artist:
Wassily Kandinsky was born in Moscow on December 16, 1866 to musical parents Lidia Ticheeva and Vasily Silvestrovich Kandinsky, a tea merchant. When Kandinsky was 5 years old, his parents divorced and he moved to Odessa, where he learned to play the piano and cello in grammar school, studying drawing with a coach at this time as well. Although originally following his family’s wishes to study law, Kandinsky abandoned this career path after viewing an exhibition of French Impressionist paintings in Moscow, moving to Munich to pursue art full-time. Accepted into the prestigious Munich Academy of Art, Kandinsky’s studies were largely self-directed and after mastering traditional techniques of color and form, he set off on creating the more expressive, emotive works that would cement his legacy. Both world wars interfered with Kandinsky’s later career, and although he had achieved German citizenship, the Nazi regime labeled his work among the “degenerative arts”, with 57 of his works being confiscated. Fleeing to Neuilly-sur-Seine after Germany invaded France, Kandinsky lived a secluded life before dying in 1944 at the age of 77. Considered one of the pioneers of abstract art in the western art circles, Kandinsky continues to be a controversial and highly sought-out artist into the 21st century.
This woodcut is amongst hundreds of pieces of art that are available at our location in Grandview! Come in today and see the full collection.
MICHAEL ROTHENSTEIN (1908-1993) “Tree with Birds” Color Woodcut
This woodcut print by famed English artist Michael Rothenstein (1908-1993) depicts a colorful rendering of a large tree basking in a gradient of orange and yellow as prominent birds intersect the composition. The son of celebrated artist Sir William Rothenstein (1972-1945), Rothenstein deviated from his father’s figurative painting background in the mid-1950s, instead beginning to work more abstractly and in linocut and woodcut printmaking. Rothenstein’s work is widely collected by respected institutions such as the Tate Modern, with Rothenstein himself being made a Royal Academician at the Royal College of Art in 1984. Housed in a metallic gold frame, this woodcut is signed and numbered 48/50 by the artist along the bottom of the print.
This woodcut is amongst hundreds of pieces of art that are available at our location in Grandview! Come in today and see the full collection.
MICHAEL ROTHENSTEIN (1908-1993) “Rooster” Color Woodcut
This woodcut print by famed English artist Michael Rothenstein (1908-1993) depicts a colorful rendering of a rooster, posed neatly against a sunlit landscape. The son of celebrated artist Sir William Rothenstein (1972-1945), Rothenstein deviated from his father’s figurative painting background in the mid-1950s, instead beginning to work more abstractly and in linocut and woodcut printmaking. Rothenstein’s work is widely collected by respected institutions such as the Tate Modern, with Rothenstein himself being made a Royal Academician at the Royal College of Art in 1984. Housed in a metallic gold frame, this woodcut is signed and numbered 54/75 by the artist along the bottom of the print.
This woodcut is amongst hundreds of pieces of art that are available at our location in Grandview! Come in today and see the full collection.
MICHAEL ROTHENSTEIN (1908-1993) “Red Flowers” Color Woodcut
This woodcut print by famed English artist Michael Rothenstein (1908-1993) depicts a rooster in black, beak open to crow against a background of bright red florals. The son of celebrated artist Sir William Rothenstein (1972-1945), Rothenstein deviated from his father’s figurative painting background in the mid-1950s, instead beginning to work more abstractly and in linocut and woodcut printmaking. Rothenstein’s work is widely collected by respected institutions such as the Tate Modern, with Rothenstein himself being made a Royal Academician at the Royal College of Art in 1984. Housed in a metallic gold frame, this woodcut is signed and numbered 65/75 by the artist along the bottom of the print.
This print is amongst hundreds of pieces of art that are available at our showroom in Grandview! Come in today and see the full collection.
IRVING AMEN (1918-2011) Original Woodcut Block
This original woodcut block by American painter, printmaker, and sculptor Irving Amen (1918-2011) depicts a dance or a brawl amongst two male figures rendered with impeccable, geometric forms. Carved on thin plywood, this block was originally used in the making of woodcut prints: ink would be applied over the surface of the relief carving then pressed onto paper to create each individual print. This unmounted block is still nicely preserved and has been signed by the artist in the lower left hand corner of the wood.
This woodcut block is amongst hundreds of pieces of art that are available at our location in Grandview! Come in today and see the full collection.
SID CHAFETZ (1922-2013) “Surrounded by Her Treasures” Original Woodcut
Original woodcut by Columbus-based printmaker Sid Chafetz (1922-2013) depicts the portrait of a smiling woman stationed in front of a mantle place, a large dog panting beside her. Printed in layered tones of ink, the woman is surrounded by small sculptures and paintings hanging on the wall behind her, suggesting this woman was a prominent collector encountered by Chafetz. Matted and housed in a postmodern pink and black frame that accentuates the color palette of the piece, this original woodcut is titled, signed, and numbered by Chafetz along the bottom of the print.
About the Artist:
Sid Chafetz (1922-2013) was an artist and professor based in Columbus, Ohio. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, he attended Rhode Island School of Design before being drafted into the US Army in 1942. He returned after his service and graduated in 1947. He continued his education in France at L’Ecole Americaine des Beaux-Arts and the Acadãmie Julian, alongside artists Fernand Lãger and Stanley W. Hayter. Chafetz would then teach at The Ohio State University beginning in 1948, and was an active part of developing the printmaking program within the Department of Art. He retired from teaching in 1982 to focus on his own art. Deeply satirical with beliefs, his works bear a haunting style laden with politics, education, and literature.
This woodcut is amongst hundreds of pieces of art that are available at our location in Grandview! Come in today and see the full collection.
LEONARD BASKIN (1922-2000) Signed Woodcut “The Football Player”
Signed woodcut by American artist Leonard Baskin (1922-2000) depicts a football player rearing back to make a pass, ball in hand. Baskin considered himself to be primarily a sculptor, but was best known for his works on paper. His works were often used to illustrate books, leading to Sylvia Plath dedicating her poem “Sculptor” to him. Circa the 1950s, this woodcut displays unique line quality and is signed by Baskin on the lower right hand side of the woodcut.
This woodcut is amongst hundreds of pieces of art that are available at our location in Grandview! Come in today and see the full collection.
ROCKWELL KENT (1882-1971) ‘Flame’ Original Woodcut
An original woodcut print from American artist Rockwell Kent (1882-1971) titled “The Bather’ from a 1937 American Block Print Calendar with documentation of the calendar on the back of frame. Each illustration by a notable artist was printed separately so that it could be framed. Image features a heroic figure in the foreground against a large, stark white flame, mountains in the distance. This piece is a prime example of Kent’s recurring theme and interest in mysticism.
About the Artist: Rockwell Kent (1882-1971) was born in Tarrytown, New York and was interested in art from a young age. His family’s financial standings prevented him from pursuing a career in fine arts and consequently, he completed a Bachelor of Arts in architecture at Columbia University. While primarily focusing on scenes of nature, Kent’s figurative works often contain mystical themes such as heroism and isolation. Around 1920, Kent began making woodcuts, establishing himself as one of the most prominent early American Modernists. Kent eventually left the New York art world, his time spent more on progressive political causes such as worker’s rights and preventing the spread of fascism in Europe. Later in his life, Kent found new popularity in the Soviet Union and in 1960, he donated 880 prints, drawings, and paintings to the people of the Soviet Union. Kent died of a heart attack in 1971 and was buried at Asgard, his farm in New York.
This woodcut is just one of hundreds of pieces of art that are available at our location in Grandview! Come in today and see the full collection.
SALVADOR DALI “The Proud” Wood Engraving from The Divine Comedy
“The Proud” is inspired by Purgatory, Canto 11 from Dante’s Divine Comedy. Figures with Surrealist styling illustrate this piece of the epic with earthen tones for a solemn look with rusty warmth. Mat in white and framed in textured brown. Information on reverse.
This wood engraving print is taken from a collective book of Salvador Dali’s illustrations of Dante’s The Divine Comedy. Dali was commissioned by the Italian government in 1950 to create a complete work of these illustrations to commemorate the 700th anniversary of Dante’s birth. After much dispute amongst the government powers over Dali’s self-admitted questionable morality, the exhibition and commission were cancelled. Dali had already become obsessed with the concept, so he decided to work with French fine art publisher Joseph Forêt instead. In 1959, the limited edition books were published. In May of 1960, and exhibition of 100 original watercolors by Salvador Dali illustrated 12,000 verses from The Divine Comedy.
About the Artist:
Salvador Dali (1904-1989) was a surrealist painter best known for his melting clocks. Dali was born in Spain to a wealthy family who encouraged him to pursue art. He studied in Madrid and later relocated to France where he met Pablo Picasso. His painting's typically featured dream-like motifs as he believed that dreams and imagination should take precedence over marginal human thought. Salvador Dali is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th-century.
This engraving is just one of hundreds of pieces of art that are available at our location in Grandview! Come in today and see the full collection.