Mt. Monadnock 1932

This is Mt. Monadnock, a woodblock print by Thomas Weeks Barrett, made around 1932. The stark contrast of black ink on paper gives the scene a dramatic quality. Barrett carefully cut away sections of a woodblock, leaving the design raised. When inked and pressed onto paper, the remaining surface transferred the image. Look closely, and you'll see the texture created by the wood grain itself. Woodblock printing has a long history, particularly in Japan. Here in America, it became popular during the Arts and Crafts movement. This art form valued handcrafting over industrial production, and the labor and skill demanded in the production process. The bold lines and simplified forms reflect a desire to capture the essence of the landscape. The artist's hand is evident in every line, a testament to the enduring appeal of craft in an age of mass production. This print reminds us of the value in understanding how materials and processes shape meaning, and how such works blur the line between art and craft.