$100-220

THOMAS ROWLANDSON(English, 1756-1827)
In late 18th and early 19th century English caricature, Rowlandson was known as one of the major leading practitioners of satire. His many ribald illustrations offered wry commentary on the political and social mores of his day. His animated drawings of the mis-adventures of the infamous Dr. Syntax, a fictional English clergyman and schoolmaster, are chronicled in three volumes. Image to the right, Death of Punch from The Third Tour of Dr. Syntax: In Search of a Wife, by William Combe, Hand colored etching and aquatint, 1821. Published by Rudolph Ackermann, at R. Ackermann's Repository of Arts, London. $100.

ARISTIDE MAILLOL (French, 1861-1944)
Maillol moved to Paris in 1882 to study painting at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. His connection with the German publisher Graf Harry Kessler led Maillol to lithography and woodcuts, reflecting the inspiration of Paul Gauguin. As his eyesight deteriorated, Maillol increasingly devoted himself to sculpture, the medium for which he is most well known. Maillol’s woodcuts are inspired by the sculpture of the late medieval era and the people and land of his native town Banyuls-sur-Mer in Southern France. Image to the left, Girl and Laurel Tree, Illustration for Les Georgiques, by Virgil. Woodcut in sanguine, 1937-1943. Monogram stamp, 6-1/2 x 4-7/8 inches. $150.

MARC CHAGALL (French [b.Russia] 1887-1985)
Chagall took inspiration from Russian folk-life, and portrayed many Biblical themes reflecting his Jewish heritage. In the 1960s and 1970s, Chagall involved himself in large-scale projects involving public spaces and important civic and religious buildings. Chagall's works fit into several modern art avant-garde currents. His works abound with references to his childhood, yet often neglect some of the turmoil which he experienced. He communicates to those who view his works happiness and optimism by means of highly vivid colors. Chagall often posed himself as an observer of the world. Image to the right Nature Morte Brune, (Still Life in Brown), Color lithograph For Chagall, 1957, Edition size 6000, Reference: Mourlot 205, Sheet: 9 x 7-3/4 inches $200

MAURICE DE VLAMINCK (French 1876-1958)
Vlaminck was born in Paris to parents who were musicians. He would sometimes earn a living with his violin. Eventually, he joined the military. where he met André Derain. Vlaminck had little art training, and only began to paint seriously after collaborating with Derain. His artistic style was strongly influenced by Vincent Van Gogh and Paul Cézanne. Toward the end of his life, he had settled into the painterly prints of his portfolio Haute Folie, his last creative project. These color lithographs vividly illustrate a pre-industrialized French village scene and surrounding bucolic farmland. Taken from the original portfolio which was published for the first time in 1964. Image to the left Frontispiece, Color lithograph in text, text verso, Publisher: Scripta et Picta, 1964, Edition: 146/260, Reference: Wlaterskirchen XXV:278. $220

$350-385

FRANCISCO GOYA (Spanish 1746-1828)
Following a traumatic illness in 1792, Francisco Goya’s art turned from Rococo decorative scenes and courtly portraits, to images preoccupied with the metaphysical meanings of modernism. Goya’s dramatic imagery which often features pointed satirical attacks on society and the abuses of the Church. His individual prints were a vehicle for this critique. His four major print series: Caprices, The Disasters of War, The Proverbs, and Bullfighting. Prints by Goya illustrate his skill as an illustrator unique for his time in terms of both composition and subject. Image to the right, Amarga presencia, (Bitter to be present), Plate 13 from the series Los Desastres de la Guerra, war scene, Etching, c. 1810-1820, Printed 1906, editon of 275, Reference: Harris 133; Delteil 132. $350.

LOCKWOOD DENNIS
One of my favorite Northwest artists, Lockwood Dennis draws on local history for his colorful woodblock prints. His inspiration comes from the diverse traditions of German Expressionism, Japanese woodcuts, comic art, and WPA era industrial design. He works with images of urban landscapes and automobiles of the 1930's and 1940's. His scenes often relate to specific locales in the Northwest. His work is included in many public collections, including Microsoft Corporation, WA; Seattle Art Commission, WA; Hallie Ford Museum of Art, OR; and the Tacoma Art Museum, WA. Image to the left, EMP and Monorail, 2000, Woodcut, 15 x 12 in., $350

KATHE KOLLWITZ (German 1867-1945)
As an accomplished draughtswoman, Kollwitz’s expressive lines in etching and lithography becomes a prime example of German Expressionism. Her pacifist message and the heartache of human suffering are the essential core of her ethos. Her success as a print artist lead her to unprecedented advances as a the first woman to be admitted to, and appointed professor, at the Berlin Academy of Art. (a post she resigned during the Nazi era). Image for the right, Hamburger Kneipe (Hamburg Tavern), Soft ground etching, 1901, Posthumous impression, Von der Becke embossed seal, References: Klipstein 58; Knesebeck 55 IV., 7-1/2 x 9-1/2 inches $385

$450-460

CAROL WAX
Carol Wax is the author of The Mezzotint: History and Technique, (Abrams, 1990, 1996), and her essays have appeared in international catalogs and journals. The book reflects her mastery of this labor intensive technique. Her honors include the Louise Nevelson Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a New York Foundation for the Arts Fellowship Grant, and residencies at the Marie Walsh Sharpe Art Foundation and the MacDowell Colony. Her mezzotints are in numerous publications and public collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the National Museum of American Art. Image to the left Fan-C, 1998, Mezzotint, Edition of 75, 4-3/4 x 4-3/4 in. $450

EFRAM WOLFF
These etchings colored with aquatint or watercolor reflect Efram Wolff’s inspiration from early twentieth century visual culture as seen through film noire, boxing, and America's unique musical, architectural and industrial design. His compositions are both local and universal leaving the viewer with a sense of deja vu. Wolff’s work is exhibited internationally and is held in the permanent collections of the Grunwald Center for the Graphic Arts and the Los Angeles County Museum. Image to the right Waterfront, 1998, Etching and aquatint, ed. 20., 7-1/2 x 15 in. $460

$500-550

STEPHEN HAZEL
Long considered a national treasure, Hazel is a masterful print artist with an uncanny ability to both command processes and yet still be inspired by them. The artist calls Seattle home but many places speak to him in the creation of his images. He has worked extensively in Italy, Portugal and Tokyo. The influence of Japanese aesthetics can be seen in the elegant compositions of his prints. Hazel’s work may be found in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art and the Brooklyn Museum in New York, the Seattle Art Museum and many others internationally. Image to the left Hell Cat, 1998. Intaglio, chine colle and hand color. 6 x 9 in. $500

KATHLEEN RABEL
Kathleen Rabel is a painter, sculptor and print artist. Althougth born and trained in Seattle, she has exhibited and been collected internationally in France, England, Italy, Japan, Portugal and Canada. Rabel has been part of the faculty at Cornish College of the Arts since 1975. Her expertise and love for paper is a key ingredient in much of her art. Her recent work shows the influence of the wrought iron work experienced in Portugal, used as a structural skeleton for many compositions, both prints and sculpture. Rabel’s work is included in many public collections, including the Museum of Modern Art and Brooklyn Museum in New York and the Seattle Art Museum. Image to the right Dazzle, Etching with aquatint, sosaku-hanga, chine-colle, 9 x 9 inches. $550

There are of course other galleries in Seattle where you can find many other wonderful works of art. By focusing on the Davidson Galleries Print Departments, I wanted to demonstrate the depth and breadth of choices available this holiday season. Visit them on the web at www.davidsongalleries.com