Lopping 1932

Clare Leighton created this wood engraving, titled "Lopping," using traditional printmaking techniques. The image shows laborers pruning trees in a stark, winter landscape. Leighton's choice of wood engraving is crucial here. The medium demands a deliberate, physical engagement, mirroring the labor-intensive work depicted. Notice the sharp, graphic quality, achieved by carving into the end-grain of the wood block. The stark contrast between black and white emphasizes the harshness of the scene and the physical effort involved in tree lopping. The very act of creating this print involves strenuous and repetitive motions, just like the labor the image portrays. By using this medium, Leighton elevates the everyday experiences of working-class individuals to a level worthy of artistic attention. In doing so, she blurs the boundaries between the fine arts and the crafts. The artwork's meaning is intertwined with its making and the social context it represents.