print, engraving
narrative-art
baroque
landscape
figuration
line
history-painting
engraving
Dimensions height 640 mm, width 465 mm
John Baptist Jackson created this chiaroscuro woodcut, "Moses Found by Pharaoh's Daughter," using multiple blocks, each inked with a different tone, to build up the image. What is fascinating is the way this technique, normally used for inexpensive, mass-produced images, is here deployed to emulate the effects of fine art, like drawings in chalk. Jackson was clearly fascinated by the textures he could achieve with wood, and the ways he could layer color to create depth and drama. The varying tones create a rich tapestry of light and shadow, guiding the viewer's eye through the scene. But this wasn't just about aesthetics; Jackson hoped to elevate printmaking to the level of "high art," thus demonstrating the skill and artistry involved. By combining techniques of mass production with pictorial effects, Jackson blurred the lines between craft and fine art, raising questions about value, labor, and the hierarchy of artistic practices.
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