Monks 1956

Eileen Taber made this relief print, 'Monks', using linoleum or wood, tools to cut into it, ink, and paper. Look closely, and you’ll see how Taber skillfully used the linocut technique to create this black and white image. The material itself has a big impact; the way the knife moves through the linoleum allows for bold, graphic lines. See how the contrast between the cut and uncut surfaces gives the figures a strong presence. The artist used chisels and gouges to remove areas, leaving raised portions to catch ink and create the image when pressed onto paper. This direct process gives 'Monks' its striking appearance, a quality deeply tied to traditions in printmaking and craft. The technique is about transferring an image through labor-intensive cutting and printing. Though this process is far removed from industrial production, it requires repetitive actions that invite consideration of social context and manual work. Understanding this artwork, then, means appreciating not just what it depicts, but how its making connects it to a bigger world. It bridges fine art with the traditions and meaning of craft.