Today a
contribution by reader and painter-artist Annie Howell-Adams in America. She’s send me for
sharing these small what I believe to be original wood (or lino)cut prints in half
postcard size. They were handed down to her and can be traced back to a member
of the Roycroft Movement, an Arts and Crafts movement founded in 1895 by Elbert
Hubbard (read here).
One of its members was architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959). The set was actually designed and edited as postcards, supposedly created but more probably collected by a member. They were thought to date from around 1910 but I think a somewhat later date, say around 1930 or in the 1930’s, would be good guess.
One of its members was architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959). The set was actually designed and edited as postcards, supposedly created but more probably collected by a member. They were thought to date from around 1910 but I think a somewhat later date, say around 1930 or in the 1930’s, would be good guess.
They all show the Italian Dolomite mountains and picturesque views of the North Italian Lake District, and I’ve never seen them, not even one of them, before. And aren't they great !
Carl
Kunst (see before posting and here*) created his München series of (also half
postcard size) woodcut postcards around 1910 and in America Arthur Dow student Rachel
Elmer Robinson (1878-1919) did a similar project of (full size postcard) New
York views for the Voland Company in 1916.
The choice and
use of color however is very reminiscent of some of some Austrian
printmakers and in particular the colorful and unique works of Robert Saurwein (1907-1942) coming to mind. He went missing in action in Serbia in 1942, but it is known he visited neighbouring Italy and Dolomite mountains. Closely observing his printing technique in the mountain areas........well look for yourself. True, otherwise Saurwein always staged some Tirolians in his prints an paintings but hopefully an observant reader, postcard collector or expert on Austrian printmakers can help
identifying and attributing these works properly.
Thank you Annie! Please visit Annie's website here*
Thank you Annie! Please visit Annie's website here*
all other pictures borrowed freely from the internet for friendly and educational use only.
Hi Gerrie,
ReplyDeleteThey are all very lovely. Makes one want to begin to collect linocut postcards.
Karen
That thought occured to me also ........
DeleteHI Gerrie, Super research on the postcard collection. I think you are correct thinking they might be stencil made images. The surface of each card, on close examination, has that stencil look. I was reading recently about A.W. Dow using heavy paper coated with shellac to make images. Just the sort of low tech method an artist on vacation in Italy might have done. Thanks for the great posting, and your blog is treasure of great info and images.
ReplyDeleteWell, let's wait and see what others have to say. The stencil (pochoir) making in the period these cards were probably created saw something of a revival. I'm no expert but thinking of editions it's a possibility. On the other hand: I've never seen one surviving card. Thanks for the positive feedback, but linking memory to new found pictures isn't really research but experience and benificial when growing older. Onwards we go couragiously !
DeleteThese are all beautiful, and totally new to me. Thanks so much for posting them. I can't really chime in on the method (stencil vs relief), because I'm still so distracted by the colors and simplicity of shapes in such a small format. Either way, they are all lovely!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment Belinda. I thought so too, sharing these never seen pictures would be a good idea.
Deletefantastic!
ReplyDeleteThank you and they are. But knowing who commented would be as nice !
Delete