September 2, 2026

Bergen in Kansas

         Today’s one of those days when I’m just going to give you one pleasing relief block print without a ton of discussion.  This linocut by Richard Bergen (USA, 1925-2020) seems appropriate to the end of summer.  Bergen is most famous for his large-scale bronze sculptures, and although sculpting and relief block printmaking may share that they both use carving, I would think it would be a very different process both physically and mentally.  This piece doesn’t have a particularly high level of detail or precision for its size, and much of the carving is a bit stylized and impressionistic.  I like the vast swirling clouds of the sky, and the contrast of the different patterns on the ground.
        That’s it!  No deep analysis, just sharing a block print that I’m enjoying today!  What do you think?


[Picture: Kansas Farm, linocut by Richard Bergen, ca. 1955 (Image from Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art).]

2 comments:

MFH said...

I like it. It reminds me a bit of the Wanda Gag's work.

Anne E.G. Nydam said...

I can see a hint of that. =)