Block Printmaker Eichenberg

        Last post I explained how I was picking for this alphabet series artists with less work, and now right off the bat I’m breaking that plan with Fritz Eichenberg (Germany/USA, 1901-1990).  Eichenberg is a major and prolific artist in the world of wood engraving.  His work is technically spectacular, dense, detailed, with amazing control of shading.  He also does a lot of work with a spiritual and political focus, much of which is very powerful.  However, while I admire his work immensely, I find that I usually don’t quite like it.  It’s a little too ugly, a little too satirical and dark-spirited - disturbing rather than uplifting.  Nevertheless, here are a few that I think are pretty cool.

        The first two pieces really demonstrate the drama for which Eichenberg is so well known.  They use the optical drama of black and white to create a sense of psychological drama - in the first piece, suspense and foreboding, and in the second, sympathy and awe.  (And I picked the third piece just because it goes with the Word of the Month.)

        I don’t have so many other E printmakers, but Escher alone should keep you plenty busy…

Emberly, Ed

English, Andy

Escher, M.C. (Plus many other posts.  Just "Search This Blog" in the sidebar!)

Word of the Month

        E is also for Etymology, and as today’s the last post of the month, here’s one fun Word of the Month etymology for you.

        Easel, on which a painter works and a printmaker might display his work, comes from the Dutch for the lowly “ass, donkey.”  English borrowed the word in the 1590s, when Dutch painting was in its Golden Age with Johannes Vermeer, Frans Hals, Rembrandt, and many more.  Clearly English-speakers were eager to get in on the artistic act, although the Dutch meaning doesn’t seem very glamorous.  The idea is of a beast of burden holding something for you, and it isn’t so far-fetched after all when you compare it with our own English sawhorse.

[Pictures: The Assignation, wood engraving by Fritz Eichenbeg from The Tales of Edgar Allen Poe, 1944 (Image from Davidson Galleries);

Christ of the Breadline, wood engraving by Eichenberg, 195o (Image from Danny Coleman);

Illustration (Donkey Kicking) from Till Eulenspiegel, 1922 (Image from Davidson Galleries).]

A-Z Challenge, all posts for the letter E