This book reveals the technique of a man who is among the most influential and beloved printmakers of the twentieth century. Being fastidious and infinitely patient, Baumann saved many of his preliminary drawings and progressive proofs, leaving behind a fascinating and intricate story of his creative process. Hand of a Craftsman features the heretofore unpublished notes and progressives the artist compiled in the making of his extraordinary woodcut Grand Caon and includes many prints never before reproduced and rarely exhibited. Baumann's work is awash in brilliant, hand-ground pigments and reveals a style that is wholly self-reliant and free. The intriguing technique used by this meticulous master, complex but enthralling, only enhances one's appreciation for this unique colour woodcut medium.
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Editorial Reviews
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Independent, prolific and influential, Gustave Baumann stands at the center of the American color woodcut movement in the first half of the twentieth century. Designed and conceived to complement the book Gustave Baumann: Nearer to Art (MNMP 1993) which focused on the artist's life and development as a printmaker, Hand of a Craftsman: The Woodcut Technique of Gustave Baumann concentrates on Baumann's printmaking methods and his remarkable achievement as one of the most masterful American craftsman of his age. Hand of a Craftsman features the unpublished notes and progressives that Baumann compiled in the making of his extraordinary woodcut, Grand Canon. The two gouache studies and thirty-four proofs in this series document the many shifts, false starts, and experiments encountered during the process of creating this six-color woodcut, offering a rare perspective into the artist's meticulous technique. Through the medium of the color woodcut Baumann's prints continue to delight viewers with the constant inspiration he found in nature. The book includes reproductions of fifty color woodcuts, most never before published. His works are vivid, brilliantly colorful, nature-inspired scenes of indigenous American life in the rural Midwest, Southwest, and Pacific Coast. Hand of a Craftsman celebrates this great artist revealing the fascinating process of color woodcut printmaking and reveling in the spirit of his process -- Journal of the Print World, Fall 1996
Much contemporary printmaking is accomplished by a collaboration between an artist, often a painter, and a master printer. Gustave Baumann, however, was both, so reading the present book, a precise and informative discussion of his technique as a woodcut artist, is a doubly rich experience. Acton, curator of prints and drawings at the Worcester Art Museum, has put together drawings and state proofs of several color woodcuts as well as some photos of the actual wood blocks, showing Baumann's meticulous process of image development. Acton's commentary is lucid and thorough, so that both the layperson and the student of printmaking have something to learn. Baumann (1881-1971) was born in Germany but emigrated with his family to the US at the age of ten. He returned to Germany to study art in the 20s, coming under the influence of Jugendstil in Munich. He lived most of his life in New Mexico, and his many color woodcuts pay homage to that landscape. Chronology; excellent reproductions. Recommended for libraries at colleges where printmaking is taught. -- D. Lent, Choice, January 1997
Much contemporary printmaking is accomplished by a collaboration between an artist, often a painter, and a master printer. Gustave Baumann, however, was both, so reading the present book, a precise and informative discussion of his technique as a woodcut artist, is a doubly rich experience. Acton, curator of prints and drawings at the Worcester Art Museum, has put together drawings and state proofs of several color woodcuts as well as some photos of the actual wood blocks, showing Baumann's meticulous process of image development. Acton's commentary is lucid and thorough, so that both the layperson and the student of printmaking have something to learn. Baumann (1881-1971) was born in Germany but emigrated with his family to the US at the age of ten. He returned to Germany to study art in the 20s, coming under the influence of Jugendstil in Munich. He lived most of his life in New Mexico, and his many color woodcuts pay homage to that landscape. Chronology; excellent reproductions. Recommended for libraries at colleges where printmaking is taught. -- D. Lent, Choice, January 1997
From the Publisher
Conceived to complement the immensely well-received Gustave Baumann: Nearer to Art, which focuses on the artist's life and development as a printmaker, Hand of a Craftsman: The Woodcut Technique of Gustave Baumann reveals the technique of a man who is among the most influential and beloved printmakers of the twentieth century. Being fastidious and infinitely patient, Baumann saved many of his preliminary drawings and progressive proofs, leaving behind a fascinating and intricate story of his creative process. Hand of a Craftsman features the heretofore unpublished notes and progressives the artist compiled in the making of his extraordinary woodcut Grand Caon and includes many prints never before reproduced and rarely exhibited. Baumann's work is awash in brilliant, hand-ground pigments and reveals a style that is wholly self-reliant and free. The intriguing technique used by this meticulous master, complex but enthralling, only enhances one's appreciation for this unique color woodcut medium. RMBPA, Runner-up Design Competition, 1997, Art/Photography Book. AAM, Design Competition, Honorable Mention, 1996
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must for woodcut printmakers,
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This review is from: Hand of a Craftsman: The Woodcut Technique of Gusstave Baumann (Hardcover)
This book and the companion book, Gustave Baumann: Nearer to Art, by Martin F. Krause et al (1993, Museum of New Mexico Press)detail the life and work of one of the great printmakers. Baumann's works are exquisite and this book details his working methods and graphically displays his multi block technique. I have read and re-read these books several times, if for no other reason than to know more about the life of a simple artist going about the straightforward work of making timeless and breathtaking works of art.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Techniques of a Master,
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This review is from: Hand of a Craftsman: The Woodcut Technique of Gusstave Baumann (Hardcover)
This is a well-written and technically, beautifully illustrated book. The author has provided a thorough narrative of the techniques Gustave Baumann used to create his magnificent woodblock prints. For me, the best parts are the several chapters that explain and illustrate, step-by-step and layer-by-layer, how several of Baumann's prints were painstakingly created, with the results of each pressing shown progressively toward the finished artwork. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the woodblock technique, Baumann, and Arts and Crafts printmaking.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gustave Baumann, an incredible craftsman,
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This review is from: Hand of a Craftsman: The Woodcut Technique of Gusstave Baumann (Hardcover)
the title says it all,...."Hands of a Craftsman." This book covers the woodcut artwork of Gustave Baumann in great detail. There are sections that cover his process of printing, and how each block is carved to produce the final image. Each print is done the good ol' fashion way,...by hand, and the result is brilliant, and unique, and beautiful. I use this book to show my woodcut students how a multi-color block print is made, it has a wonderful guide and clear photographs how this is done.
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