Efemeryda

I’ve been thinking about getting into woodcut printmaking. It’s not entirely new territory for me; I first experimented with it in high school, where I produced a pretty good for a beginner sunflower print. Later, in college, I took a book arts course that included a woodcut unit. I can still hear my instructor’s warning during her demo on how to carve a design: “Do not hold your woodblock at the top; you WILL gouge yourself.” Of course, guess what I did the very next day in class. I still carry a small, crescent-shaped scar on my left index finger. 

It’s the work of Julie de Graag, and her simple yet striking prints, that has been inspiring me to give it another go.

Julie de Graag (1877–1924) was a Dutch artist whose work focused on nature, landscapes, and portraits. In addition to woodcut printmaking, she produced watercolor paintings and ink drawings. Her style is often described as existing between Art Nouveau and De Stijl, embodying both decorative elegance and structural simplicity. During her lifetime, she was well regarded and collaborated with fellow artists such as the sculptor Joseph Mendes da Costa and the painter Bart van der Leck.

Unfortunately, in 1908, a fire destroyed her workshop, along with much of her work. In 1924, at the age of forty-six, she died by suicide.

 Here are a few simple prints from the Rijksmusem collection that I really favor. Click on each image to enlarge.

She also has a pretty good sunflower print.

You can view more of her work at the Rijksmuseum, as well as download images for your own use.