| Norman Lindsay Original
Woodblock Prints |
Norman
Lindsay's first woodblocks were created c.1895. By 1899 he was engraving
many of the woodblock illustrations for The
Rambler newspaper, as well
as being commissioned to produce posters. Several books containing his
original woodblock illustrations were issued up to and during
the 1920s and two of these are the limited edition books are Fauns
and Ladies (Fanfrolico Press, 1923) and Thief of the Moon (Fanfrolico
Press, 1924). Many of these prints were never issued separately in an
edition.
Wood engraving does not have the flexibility of intaglio
printing (etching, etc) in which various techniques can be
used on one plate to create different effects. There can
be very few alterations once the cut has been made into the
wood — the artist has to be sure where they want every
line to appear. Norman's surviving woodblocks indicate his
confidence with the medium and that he found no challenge
in translating his artistic language onto small pieces of
wood. That he succeeded is evident in the prints made from
his blocks.
The number of woodblock prints produced by Norman was very
small but eighteen have been preserved
by his family who consented to the release of these limited
edition prints from the original blocks under strict copyright
conditions. When the entire series has been printed and released,
the blocks will be donated to a public institution, ensuring
the image is never released again.
Of the series to be printed from the eighteen surviving woodblocks,
eight have been released to date. All editions are printed
by Josef Lebovic on an 1890s Golding foot treadle printing
press and each print is individually numbered by hand and
signed by Josef Lebovic and Helen Glad, Norman Lindsay's
granddaughter. Authenticity is guaranteed by an embossed
seal below the image, as well as a Certificate of Authenticity.
Each Norman Lindsay Original Woodblock Print is in an edition of 125 (100 for
sale) and size is image size only. Prices are for unframed works and are subject
to change as editions sell out. Freight is inclusive for all orders within Australia.
For overseas orders, please contact us.
Original Woodblock Prints on this
page are for sale from Odana Editions.
|
| WOODBLOCKS |
| JOAN OF ARC |
 |
Date
Size
Price
Date Published |
1920
8.8 x 10.8 cm
$385
Printed from the original woodblock by Josef Lebovic in 1995 |
In
1920 Hugh McCrae began writing his long poem about the French peasant
maid who became Joan of Arc. Although McCrae never completed the poem, Art
published the first three parts.
This woodblock is a powerful representation of Joan's vision as described
by McCrae in Art in Australia, Eleventh Number, 1921. In her vision
Joan saw lightning 'like flame-struck arrows' strike a tree and, chained
to the tree in a blaze of 'pure white fire', was a phantom knight. The
knight was maidenly and young 'with honey-coloured ringlets hung'. Joan's
vision was to be her fate. |
| |
| FALLEN ANGEL |
 |
Date
Size
Price
Date Published |
1922
8.4 x 5.7 cm
$440
Printed from the original woodblock by Josef Lebovic in 1995 |
The woodblock Fallen
Angel was printed as the heading on Norman Lindsay's essay 'The
Inevitable Future', published in Art in Australia, February
1922. Written only four years after the end of World War I, Norman's
long essay was remarkably prescient in forecasting wars to come, with
The woodblock represents the angel as civilisation which is being overcome
by a dark, evil force. At the conclusion of the essay, however, another
woodblock shows the angel ascendant and so the essay ends on a note of
hope for mankind. Fallen Angel, despite its size, is a powerful
and prophetic image. |
| |
| SECRET LOVERS |
 |
Date
Size
Price
Date Published |
c.1900
11.1 x 12.4 cm
$495
Printed from the original woodblock by Josef Lebovic in 2000 |
Secret Lovers,
with its shadowy air of mystery, is one of the few early woodblocks by
Norman Lindsay to have survived. Little is known of its origins — it
could possibly have been intended as a book illustration but this is
not certain.
Whatever the intent, however, there is not doubt that this image was the
forerunner of numerous works in pen and ink, and, indeed, the sophisticated
etching From the Moon. |
| |
| THE PEACOCK HEAD-DRESS |
 |
Date
Size
Price
Date Published |
c.1917
10.4 x 7.3 cm
$495
Printed from the original woodblock by Josef Lebovic in 1999 |
The Peacock
Head-Dress is a study in light and shade. It is similar in style
to several unpublished etchings, most notable (Nude with Necklace)
and (Before the Ball).
In the series of eighteen woodblocks there are only four single figure
nudes — The Garland, Lady and Parrot, The Mask and The Peacock
Head-Dress. |
| |
| THE GARLAND |
 |
Date
Size
Price
Date Published |
1923
8.8 x 5.6 cm
$550
Printed from the original woodblock by Josef Lebovic in 1995 |
The Garland was
one of the three original woodblock prints used to illustrate Fauns
and Ladies by Jack Lindsay, published in 1923 in an edition of 210
copies.
Now, for the first time, The Garland has become available for sale.
This image evokes the very spirit of Spring, with her garland of blossoms
heralding a season of gaiety before the onset of Summer. |
| |
| THE LOVERS |
 |
Date
Size
Price
Date Published |
1923
7.3 x 7.5 cm
$660
Printed from the original woodblock by Josef Lebovic in 1995 |
| The Lovers was
one of three original woodblock prints illustrating Fauns and Ladies by
Jack Lindsay, published in 1923 in an edition of 210 copies. This important
woodblock was also one of the three used to illustrate Kenneth Slessor's
first book of poems Thief of the Moon, published in 1924 in an
edition of 150. One of Norman's most delicate woodblocks, The Lovers has
previously only been available to book collectors. |
| |
| THE MASK |
 |
Date
Size
Price
Date Published |
c.1920
12.8 x 8.9 cm
$715
Printed from the original woodblock by Josef Lebovic in 2000 |
Norman believed
in Nietzsche's theory that everyone at some time dons a 'metaphorical'
mask in order to disguise his or her real feelings. He titled his autobiography My
Mask, and used the mask as a device in various media including etching
—Madam Mystery, Death's Mask, Which Mask? and Dreams.
His woodblock print The Mask (the only one in this series depicting
a mask) has a close affinity with the etching Dreams. Although the
models are different, the masks are identical and the gossamer drapes similar. |
| |
| SOLD OUT EDITIONS |
| LADY AND PARROT |
 |
Date
Size
Date Published |
c.1917
11.9 x 10.6 cm
Printed from the original woodblock by Josef Lebovic in 1999 |
| The subject
matter of this woodblock is not only the same as Lindsay's famous etching Lady
and Parrot, but the style is markedly similar. The intricate detail
of the various fabrics and the parrot's feather provides a sharp contrast
to the purity of the nude. This is an exceptionally fine woodblock. |
| |
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Page updated:
12 October, 2009
2001-2009 Odana Editions Pty Ltd |
