1. Artists in America
Printmaking-a historical
perspective with a
contemporary flare!

2. A brief history
• First-before the printing press-printmaking
was considered a means of communication-
not art.
• 18th century art prints were beginning to be
considered art.
• 19th century saw artists signing their prints in
limited editions –this along with technical
information authenticated their work.

3. American artists took their cue from Europe

4. 19th century artists used prints to reach many with a single image.

5. Printmaking in Europe
• Began printing on textiles (fabric) 6th century
• Paper technology came from the Far East
• First European paper produced Spain in 1151
• First European woodcuts printed on paper
were playing cards produced at the beginning
in the 15th century.

7. Printmaking in the East
• Though we have barely touched upon
Japanese printmaking here, special mention
must be made of the master of
woodcut, Katsushika Hokusai, who in the last
half of the 17th century and the first half of
the 18th produced some 35,000 drawings and
prints, many of them recognized
masterpieces, many of which were to exert an
important influences on European
printmakers.

9. American Printers
• Noted printmakers from early Americas are
Currier and Ives, Winslow Homer and Thomas
Moran. These printers’ works rivaled those of
the East and Europe.
• Native American and natural settings as well
as urban life were the topics of choice.

10. Currier and Ives focused on rural Americana.

11. Winslow Homer shows the perils faced by pioneers living in America

12. Contemporary Relief Printing

22. Assignment
• Research a contemporary American printmaker –
record findings in sketchbook including
name, age, location, education/training, print
type, interesting story about artist.
• Sketch out prints in sketchbook
• Using your printmaker of choice as inspiration;
create a plan for a 2-3 color linocut print.
• Get approval for design and practice with
printmaking tools for multicolor technique

23. Active 1900 – c. 1960
American
• George Li • Gen Paul • Grace Albee
Adomeit Li (and • Edward Hopper • Joseph Pennell Wo, We
printer) Amelia Et Et • Anni Albers Li,
R. Coats Et • Jacques • Horatio Nelson Sc
• Eleanor Coen Li Hnizdovsky Wo, Poole (1884– • Valenti Angelo
• Alphaeus Li, Et 1949) En, Wo, Linocut
Philemon Cole • Max Kahn Li, • Mark Rothko • George Bellows
Et, En Wo • Harry Li
• Werner Drewes • Rockwell Kent Shoulberg Sc • Leon Bibel
Wo, Et Li, Wo • Hannah • Robert
• Wedo Georgetti • Albert Kotin Tompkins Wo Blackburn
Et, Li • Doris Emrick • John French (artist) Li
• Philip Guston Li Lee Sloan Et • George Elbert
• Thomas • Robert • Stow Burr Et
Handforth Et Motherwell Et, Wengenroth Li • Minna Citron
• Irwin Hollander Li

24. Active from c. 1960 to 1990
American
• Earl W. Bascom • Yvonne • Julian Stanczak
Et, Li, Wo Jacquette Wo • Frank Stella Li,
• Elizabeth Catlett • Jasper Johns Et, Wo
Li Li • John August
• Sam Francis Li, • Roy Lichtenstein Swanson Li, St,
Et Li, Sc Et
• Nancy Graves Li • Jack McLarty Li, • Jonathan Talbot
• Mary Henry Wo, We, Sc, Et Et
(artist) • Barry Moser • Andy Warhol Sc
• Jacques • Robert
Hnizdovsky Wo, Rauschenberg
Li, Et Li, Sc

25. Living contemporary
the Americas
• Enrique Chagoya Et, En, • Virginia A. Myers Et, En
Li, Di • Michael Parkes Li
• Susan Crile • Lynn Shaler Et, Aq
• Jane Hammond Li, Si, • Arthur Thrall
• Above (artist) • E. M. Washington En
• Jeff Koons • Nathaniel Stern En
• M. Bernard Loates We, • Carol Wax Me
Me, Li, Sc, St, Di
Key to Techniques: En = Engraver (includes Drypoint), Et = Etcher, Wo = Woodcut,
Me = Mezzotint, Mo = Monotype, Aq = Aquatint, Li = Lithography, We = Wood engraving,
Sc = Screen-printing, St = Stipple, Di = digital.