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Fine art print by Paul Landacre Paul Landacre (1893–1963) was a master of American wood engraving, known for his technical virtuosity, high-contrast black and white images, and scenes of the California landscape and nudes. The image you sent is one of his famous works, titled A Woman or Back.
Style and Technique
Mastery of Wood Engraving: Landacre was self-taught in this notoriously difficult medium, which involves carving into the hard end-grain of a wood block with a burin. This allowed for very fine, precise lines.
White-Line Technique: He was renowned for his use of white lines on a black background, effectively "thinking backwards" from the traditional drawing process. The carved-away lines appear white against the inked flat surface of the block.
High Contrast and Texture: His work is characterized by "brilliant chiaroscuro" (strong contrast of light and shadow) and meticulous use of crosshatching and flecking to create a wide range of tonal values and textures, from velvety blacks to brilliant whites.
Modernist Vision: Landacre's stark, stylized images of organic subjects offered a modern vision that has been compared to the bold cinematography of film noir.
Subjects and Themes
Landacre was enchanted by the natural world around his home in Los Angeles's Echo Park neighborhood, and his subjects often included:
California landscapes, flora, and fauna.
Still lifes and occasional abstract designs.
Female nudes, such as the one pictured, which he rendered with a sensitive, sensual approach.
He was also a prolific illustrator for books, winning several "Fifty Books of the Year" awards from the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). His work gained national recognition in the 1930s and is held in the collections of major museums across the U.S.. |
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