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Woodcut Prints

A woodcut is a relief print that is made by carving an image into a wooden block. Printing from wooden blocks originated in Japan in the 8th century, and is still a popular traditional artistic practice today. Typically, images were printed on textiles in Asian printing practice.

The woodcut did not appear in Europe until the early 1400s, and was used primarily for the purpose of creating printed books. In the 1600s, the woodcut technique was brought to its zenith by Albrecht Dürer, who achieved a fine level of detail and subtle tonality within woodcut prints. The medium was revived by the German expressionists in the 1800s, who favored the technique for the thick, primitive effects the technique produced.

The woodcut process involves ink that is applied to the raised areas of the wood using a roller known as a brayer. The image is then transferred to dampened paper.


Quick Facts

  • Japanese woodblock prints were highly influential to the modern art movement in 19th century France
  • Artists such as Manet, Degas, Gauguin and van Gogh were impacted by the medium, and incorporated effects similar to those of woodblock prints into their artistic practice as a whole
  • Woodcut is also sometimes called xylography

Recommended Items at Auction

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Paul Binie, 1967, Phoenix Dream (Ho-o no yume)
Jun 21, 6:00 PM CEST
Paul Binie, 1967, Phoenix Dream (Ho-o no yume)
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF300- CHF500
CHF2600 Bids
Portfolio, , Two Portfolios: Ten Woodcuts, Robert Müller; Torses, Oscar Wiggli, 1968
Jun 21, 6:00 PM CEST
Portfolio, , Two Portfolios: Ten Woodcuts, Robert Müller; Torses, Oscar Wiggli, 1968
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF600- CHF1,000
CHF5000 Bids
Hu Zhengyan, 1584-1674, Shizhuzhai Jianpu (Collection of stationary of the Ten Bamboo Hall)
Jun 21, 6:00 PM CEST
Hu Zhengyan, 1584-1674, Shizhuzhai Jianpu (Collection of stationary of the Ten Bamboo Hall)
by Germann Auction House Ltd
Est: CHF3,000- CHF5,000
CHF2,8000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Woodcut Prints


Germann Auction House Ltd

Germann Auction House Ltd