NORMAN LINDSAY
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ORIGINAL WOODBLOCK PRINTS

Norman Lindsay only produced a small number of woodblock prints, even though he was a fine wood engraver. Two limited edition books, Fauns and Ladies (Fanfrolico Press, 1923) and Thief of the Moon (Fanfrolico Press, 1924), included a number of original woodblock illustrations. None of his other blocks were printed for separate issue.

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. Lindsay'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.

Eighteen of Lindsay's original blocks have been preserved by his family. They have agreed to the release of these original wood engravings in a limited edition, in strict accordance with 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.

Please click on the thumbnails to view larger images. Original Woodblock Prints on this page are for sale from Odana Editions. To order, please click here.

WOODBLOCKS
JOAN OF ARC Norman Lindsay - 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 in Australia 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 Norman Lindsay - 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 weapons undreamed of in 1922.

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 Norman Lindsay - 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 Norman Lindsay - 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 Norman Lindsay - 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 Norman Lindsay - 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 Norman Lindsay - 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.
 
LADY AND PARROT SOLD OUT Norman Lindsay - 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: 16 July, 2008  2001-2008 Odana Editions Pty Ltd