Death of Marat 1981

Dennis Kardon created this print, Death of Marat, using woodcut, a traditional printmaking technique. The process involves carving a design into a block of wood, applying ink to the raised surface, and then pressing paper against the block to transfer the image. The character of woodcut, with its bold lines and graphic nature, strongly influences the work’s appearance. You can see how the grain of the wood subtly textures the colored areas. The image is crammed with swirling forms, which adds to the print’s frenetic energy. This sense of chaos underscores the social context of the image, which makes reference to the famous painting of the murdered Marat. Kardon's choice of woodcut, rather than a slicker, more modern printmaking technique, connects the work to a longer history of graphic art used for political ends. This recalls the way woodcut was used to create accessible, reproducible images that could circulate widely in the service of social commentary. It invites us to think about the amount of work involved in the production process. In the end, it makes us reconsider the boundary between fine art and craft.