Unknown Russian Female Torso woodblock

"Xylograph not ready yet. (This is) 1st print in process of preparation. Will send (the whole) work after finishing". 

This little treasure, a beautiful and academically posed female torso woodblock (wood-engraving) print, I was very pleased to swap recently: Euro's for Art. It came from Estonia, one of the Baltic States. The handwriting in the margins was translated by the friendly seller. Possibly a note from the unknown artist to an editor, perhaps of a book, scribbled on this "epreuve d'artiste" or "artist proof". Would I like to know and find the finished result and publication !

When looking for similar prints in execution (classic or academically posed female nudes in wood-engraving  and woodcut printing) you'll find not that many examples. American wood-engraver Paul Landacre (1893-1863) is one of the artists that comes to mind (above). 

And also British sculptor (very discussed because of his obsessive life-stile)  Eric Gill (1882-1940) but they have strong personal and clearly different styles.

And there is German born American Emil Ganso (1895-1941), who was a painter and wood-engraver specialized in still-lives, landscapes and nudes. He was largely self-taught and emigrated, penniless, to the US in 1912 working as a baker pursuing his art until being discovered in the mid-1920's. 

All pictures borrowed freely from the internet for friendly, educational and non commercial use only.